FCC proposes KYUP robocall rules

The Federal Communications Commission on May 20 proposed tighter robocall rules that would require voice providers to do more to identify, monitor and, if necessary, cut off the companies sending them call traffic. The agency said the proposal would strengthen “Know-Your-Upstream-Provider” requirements, raise standards for STIR/SHAKEN caller-ID attestations and close loopholes in how authenticated calls move through provider networks. The action came in a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking adopted at the FCC’s May open meeting. Chairman Brendan Carr said the goal was to “bring meaningful robocall relief to consumers” by attacking illegal traffic at multiple points in the call path. ### What is the FCC actually trying to change in the call chain? The FCC said the proposal is aimed at the middle of the call path, not just the caller at the origin or the terminating carrier at the end. Under the draft, providers would face more specific obligations to know the upstream provider handing them traffic and to maintain oversight strong enough to identify providers that enable illegal robocalls. The FCC said the point is to expose and remove “bad actor providers” from the voice ecosystem. (fcc.gov) The May 20 item also targets the STIR/SHAKEN framework, which is the caller-ID authentication system U.S. carriers use to verify whether a call is likely tied to the number displayed to the recipient. The commission said it wants to improve oversight of how providers implement the framework, make attestation levels more trustworthy and close gaps that let calls move through networks without reliable authentication information. (fcc.gov) ### Why does “Know-Your-Upstream-Provider” matter so much here? The new focus reflects how illegal robocall traffic often passes through multiple providers before reaching a consumer. Light Reading reported that the FCC’s proposed KYUP rules are meant to expose providers that enable illegal traffic and root them out. The FCC’s own release said the proposal would hold voice service providers accountable for ensuring bad-actor providers are eliminated from the ecosystem. (fcc.gov) Chairman Carr previewed that approach on April 28, when he said the commission was considering tools that could remove providers from U.S. networks when they enable illegal robocalls. In a May agenda post, Carr said the agency wanted to hold providers to a “higher accountability measure” or eliminate them from the voice ecosystem if they continue to facilitate illegal robocalls. ### What does this mean for carriers and network teams? (lightreading.com) The FCC’s proposal points to more documentation, more verification and more auditable decision-making inside provider operations. Cord Cutters News summarized the item as imposing more specific requirements on voice service providers and strengthening STIR/SHAKEN so caller ID works more effectively against robocalls. In practice, that means providers may need better records on who supplied traffic, how trust was assigned and when a relationship should be suspended or terminated. (docs.fcc.gov) Industry and legal summaries of the draft say the commission is considering sweeping changes to KYUP obligations and tighter rules for assigning STIR/SHAKEN attestations. Those descriptions indicate providers may need stronger onboarding checks, retained supporting records and clearer internal controls over how traffic is authenticated and passed downstream. (cordcuttersnews.com) ### Is this already a rule, or just the start of the process? The commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on May 20, not final rules. The FCC’s May open-meeting page lists the item under WC Docket No. 17-97 and CG Docket No. 17-59, and the agency’s rulemaking page says proposed rules are published for public comment before the commission decides whether to adopt final requirements. Wiley Law said comments on the KYUP item will be due 30 days after publication in the Federal Register and reply comments 60 days after publication. (commlawgroup.com) As of May 21, the next concrete milestone is that publication, which will start the formal comment clock for carriers, trade groups, consumer advocates and other participants. (wiley.law) (fcc.gov)