The federal government just made a big move when it comes to robocalls. A certain voice provider was blacklisted from the entire country by the Federal Communications Commission, as it failed to comply with the new anti-robocalling rules. This is the first time for FCC to make a move regarding this matter and it might be the first to many.  

(Photo : BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)
(L-R) Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and commissioner Michael O'Rielly listen during a hearing at the Federal Communications Commission for a vote to repeal Net Neutrality protections on December 14, 2017 in Washington, DC. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski

FCC Blacklists Global UC

A US-based company that provides automated and long-distance calling capabilities called Global UC has been blacklisted from network access to the United States phone network for not complying with new requirements that were laid out by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

According to FCC's order, the provider received a warning from the federal government to apply the anti-robocalling STIR/SHAKEN framework on its network. If they will not be complying with this, the company needs to have a justification. 

Aside from this, the requirements include applying caller ID verification technology to their networks and providing FCC with an explanation of how to fight spam robocalls.

"For too long, robocalls have flooded our phones and facilitated fraud. So we are using a new tool to fight against these scam calls. We are cutting providers off and preventing them from accessing our networks when they fail to demonstrate they will protect consumers. This is a novel way to stop robocalls and it's one we are going to keep using until we get this junk off the line," FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel stated. 

The federal government set a deadline for October this year. Global UC stated that the network already had the mentioned framework in place but part of its network will not be covering it.

When asked by the FCC regarding the reason for this, the network did not provide any details and only said, "We are not needing this certification."  

Implementation

Because of these reasons, the FCC orders to ban Global UC's access to the US phone network and force other US voice providers to stop their business with the company, as TechCrunch reported that the federal government prohibits them from accepting phone traffic to the banned company.  

Enforcement Bureau Chief Loyaan A. Egal stated that the agency has already reached the point where they are ready to ban companies if they fail to comply and abide by the rules.

He added, "While this is a steep and impactful penalty, it underscores the importance we place on complying with our rules, which are designed to eliminate the ability of bad actors to use the U.S. communications networks to harm consumers."  

Also Read: TikTok Ban in the US? FCC Commissioner Details Data Collection, Access from its Users 

Global UC become the first provider to miss the deadline laid out by the FCC and failed to provide a reasonable justification.

They are also the first company to be removed from the Robocall Mitigation Database, which will make the other telecom companies prohibited from accepting or relaying their call from Global UC customers. 

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Written by Inno Flores