FCC 86th first carrier to flout robocall rules
When it comes to robocalls, the FCC is synonymous with business, though you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise, as its various efforts over the past few years have snuck rather that they only leaped forward. But the agency has just ordered the excommunication of a carrier who failed to comply with new anti-robocalling rules - possibly the first in a long series.
Global UC, a US-based (but oddly generic) company that appears to provide robo-calling and long-distance capabilities (as opposed to regular cellular service), was warned long ago that it should implement the STIR/SHAKEN anti-robocalling framework on your networks or be prepared to justify yourself if you don't.
When the FCC called in October with a final deadline, Global UC said it had STIR/SHAKEN in place, but part of its network would not be covered by it. The FCC asked why; some carriers have legitimate reasons to exempt certain traffic and must say so.
Global UC didn't provide any details, just saying "We don't need this certification." Ah... okay.
After a few follow-ups, the FCC called the company a bluff, or rather a bluster. The order issued today requires that "all intermediary providers and terminating voice service providers must stop accepting traffic from Global UC within two (2) business days of this order."
In other words, Global UC is blacklisted; the first company to receive this sanction under the FCC's robocall rules.
This company may have been just one of many shells set up to funnel mass calling operations into the United States, in which case its closure is probably not too big a deal for those who pull the strings. It's hard to say, because as the FCC notes in its order, Global UC hasn't been very forthcoming about its operations. I've asked the FCC for a few more details about the company's customers and will update if I get a response.
Anyway, it's good to see another bad actor hammered after years of being slow by the FCC - the agency started pushing STIR/SHAKEN in 2018 and has only just hit its first operator (although she fined a few ). Hopefully this will scare a few more and we can all stop staring at our phones and saying "ugh...robocall" every few hours.
When it comes to robocalls, the FCC is synonymous with business, though you could be forgiven for thinking otherwise, as its various efforts over the past few years have snuck rather that they only leaped forward. But the agency has just ordered the excommunication of a carrier who failed to comply with new anti-robocalling rules - possibly the first in a long series.
Global UC, a US-based (but oddly generic) company that appears to provide robo-calling and long-distance capabilities (as opposed to regular cellular service), was warned long ago that it should implement the STIR/SHAKEN anti-robocalling framework on your networks or be prepared to justify yourself if you don't.
When the FCC called in October with a final deadline, Global UC said it had STIR/SHAKEN in place, but part of its network would not be covered by it. The FCC asked why; some carriers have legitimate reasons to exempt certain traffic and must say so.
Global UC didn't provide any details, just saying "We don't need this certification." Ah... okay.
After a few follow-ups, the FCC called the company a bluff, or rather a bluster. The order issued today requires that "all intermediary providers and terminating voice service providers must stop accepting traffic from Global UC within two (2) business days of this order."
In other words, Global UC is blacklisted; the first company to receive this sanction under the FCC's robocall rules.
This company may have been just one of many shells set up to funnel mass calling operations into the United States, in which case its closure is probably not too big a deal for those who pull the strings. It's hard to say, because as the FCC notes in its order, Global UC hasn't been very forthcoming about its operations. I've asked the FCC for a few more details about the company's customers and will update if I get a response.
Anyway, it's good to see another bad actor hammered after years of being slow by the FCC - the agency started pushing STIR/SHAKEN in 2018 and has only just hit its first operator (although she fined a few ). Hopefully this will scare a few more and we can all stop staring at our phones and saying "ugh...robocall" every few hours.
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