WASHINGTON—A number of phone service providers and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are acknowledging potential issues with call blocking errors as a result of a new caller identification framework – known as SHAKEN/STIR.
The admission that some issues have developed came during a PACE Consumer Protection Coalition meeting. Representatives from Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T were among those at the coalition meeting, reported NAFCU, which was also in attendance.
Participants in the meeting discussed whether the SHAKEN/STIR verification outcome is truly indicative of illegal or unwanted calls and if blocking calls based solely on results from the SHAKEN/STIR authentication would be productive and helpful for consumers. The FCC expects major voice service providers to implement the SHAKEN/STIR framework this year.
In August, 51 attorneys general and 12 of the largest telephone companies in the U.S. signed a pledge to combat illegal robocalls by implementing the SHAKEN/STIR call-blocking technology at no cost to consumers.
Trade Group Response
Commenting on the FCC's proposal to require phone companies to adopt the technology, NAFCU and other trades recommended that voice service providers not be permitted to block certain calls until the SHAKEN/STIR framework has been fully implemented and that the agency direct voice service providers to notify callers and consumers of blocked calls and remove erroneous blocks expeditiously in order to receive safe harbor protection.
The FCC in June finalized a declaratory ruling that allows voice service providers to automatically block suspected robocalls unless a consumer opts out. In July, the House passed legislation targeting bad robocalls.