FCC Chairman Speaks to Attorneys General On Consumer Protection

The FCC released a transcript of Chairman Ajit Pai’s recent remarks at the National Association of Attorneys General Consumer Protection Conference.  Among other things, Chairman Pai’s remarks included:

“Since becoming Chairman, I’ve said repeatedly that combatting unwanted robocalls is our top consumer protection priority, and we’ve backed up that talk with action.  We’ve authorized carriers to block robocalls from certain spoofed numbers.  We’ve authorized the creation of a reassigned numbers database.  We’ve demanded that phone carriers establish a robust call-authentication framework by the end of this year.  We’ve taken aggressive enforcement action against those who unleash robocalls on consumers.  And we have been working with Congress to pass much-needed bipartisan, anti-robocall legislation, like the TRACED Act and the STOP Robocalls Act.” 

“Last week, I shared with my colleagues my proposal to allow phone companies to establish call blocking services as a default setting for consumers.  That is, phone companies could block robocalls for consumers without consumers having to proactively sign up for it.  Companies that do this would use analytics to determine which calls to block—the same general approach as the current crop of call blocking apps, and similar to what email providers do when they direct junk messages into consumers’ spam folders.  To offer call-blocking by default, carriers would have to simply allow consumers who don’t want these services to opt out.  If adopted and implemented, I believe my proposal would make a big dent in the number of robocalls consumers get and help fight back against scams that rely on robocalls and spoofing.”

“Now, my proposals on call-blocking by default and a white list are part of what’s called a Declaratory Ruling.  This basically announces what the FCC considers the law in this area to be.  In addition to the Declaratory Ruling, I’ve teed up a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to call-blocking.  Here, I’m proposing a safe harbor for carriers that block phone calls that aren’t properly authenticated under the caller ID technical framework that’s being developed, called SHAKEN/STIR.  Lastly, it’s important to note that these proposals make very clear that emergency and other vital calls cannot be blocked, and that carriers must give consumers ample information about these services and methods.  If adopted, we expect carriers to quickly begin offering call-blocking services by default and to work toward more advanced offerings like blocking based on contact lists.”

Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefing dated 5/16/19 for more information.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

The Regulatory Mix Today:  FCC Chairman Speaks to Attorneys General On Consumer Protection, California Issues Reminder About 510 Area Code

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

California Issues Reminder About 510 Area Code

The California PUC issued a press release reminding consumers that beginning on June 22, 2019, residents and businesses with the 510 area code must dial 1 + area code + telephone number for all calls.  After that date, if callers do not use the new dialing procedure, the call will not be completed, and a recording will instruct the caller to hang up and dial again using the new dialing procedure.

The dialing change paves the way for an area code overlay that will add a new 341 area code to the geographic area currently served by the 510 area code.  The overlay does not require customers to change their existing area code and telephone number but does require customers to dial “1” plus the three-digit area code plus the seven-digit telephone number for all calls to and from telephone numbers with the 510 and 341 area codes, including local calls.

Inteserra Briefing Service subscribers see Briefings dated 7/2/18 and 7/31/18.

____________________________

The Regulatory Mix, Inteserra’s blog of telecom related regulatory activities, is a snapshot of PUC, FCC, legislative, and occasionally court issues that our regulatory monitoring team uncovers each day. Depending on their significance, some items may be the subject of an Inteserra Briefing.