Commenters Question FCC’s Foreign-Originated STIR/SHAKEN Proposal, Bureau Completes Review of CAF-II ELAP Participation
Commenters Question FCC’s Foreign-Originated STIR/SHAKEN Proposal
To stem the tide of foreign-originated robocalls, the FCC adopted a further notice of proposed rulemaking in CG docket 17-59 and WC docket 17-97 that would require “gateway” providers-the first providers that receive overseas telecom traffic-to implement STIR/SHAKEN (See Inteserra Briefing dated November 4, 2021). Comments in response to the proposed rulemaking question the FCC’s premises, however. Belgacom International Carrier Services SA said such steps “would not increase the quality of the traffic” since the “nature of such traffic is not always clear and obvious to gateway and intermediate providers as they are not the traffic originators.” Furthermore, gateway providers are unaware of where traffic originated, arguing that it was “very difficult for gateway providers to determine in all cases whether a pattern of traffic is fraudulent or natural to a determined business (e.g., call centers).” AB Handshake Corp. similarly argued against requiring gateway providers to implement STIR/SHAKEN, insisting it “will not significantly improve caller ID authentication, traceback efforts, or the blocking of illegal robocalls.”.
Bureau Completes Review of CAF-II ELAP Participants
The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau announced today that it has completed the initial review of information submitted by Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II support recipients participating in the eligible locations adjustment process (ELAP). The Bureau determined that all had satisfied the prima facie evidentiary standards for continuing with the process. “Individuals, non-governmental entities, and governmental entities that meet eligibility criteria specified in the Locations Adjustment Order (Stakeholders) may file challenges to the accuracy or completeness of one or more of these Participants’ ELAP information,” the Bureau announced in a public notice released in WC docket 10-90. “Prospective Stakeholders will have until Friday, March 25, 2022, 11:59 PM ET, to initiate the registration process by submitting, in good faith, a complete form and associated certifications. Verified Stakeholders will then be permitted to file challenges for a full 90 days beginning Friday, April 1, 2022, 12:01 AM ET, and ending Wednesday, June 29, 2022, 11:59 PM ET.”
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.
