FCC Approves Tougher Telecom KYC Rules and New Restrictions on Foreign Carriers and Labs
Summary
The FCC approved measures to strengthen telecom customer verification and address illegal robocalls, end blanket authorization for certain foreign carriers, and refuse recognition of overseas testing labs without U.S. reciprocity agreements.
Key points
- The FCC unanimously approved stronger Know Your Customer requirements for telecoms to verify callers’ identities.
- Potential verification measures include collecting a customer’s name, address, government ID, and alternate phone numbers before service is enabled.
- The FCC is considering penalties tied to the number of illegal robocalls placed.
- A new rule ends blanket authorization for foreign companies on the FCC’s covered entity list to provide interstate telecommunications services.
- Overseas testing and equipment labs without reciprocity agreements with U.S.-based labs may no longer be recognized.
- The FCC previously withdrew or denied certification of 23 overseas labs under efforts targeting labs owned or operated by foreign adversarial countries.
Article Details
- Event Type
- The FCC unanimously approved regulations strengthening telecom Know Your Customer requirements, ending blanket authorization for certain foreign carriers, and requiring reciprocity agreements for recognition of overseas testing and equipment labs.
- Impact
- The measures are intended to reduce illegal robocalling and protect U.S. telecommunications networks from cyber threats. Potential identity checks under consideration include a customer’s name, address, government ID, and alternate phone numbers; these are described as potential solutions, not confirmed requirements. Enforcement could tie penalties to the number of illegal calls. Overseas labs without reciprocity agreements may not be recognized.
People
Brendan CarrFCC Chair who said some telecoms were not adequately vetting customers and that equipment from companies on the covered entity list could enter U.S. products through services outside the current legal definition of international telecommunications authority.Olivia TrustyFCC Commissioner who helped lead development of the rule ending blanket authorization for certain foreign companies and commented on cybersecurity threats to telecom networks.
Countries
ChinaOverseas testing and equipment labs must have reciprocity agreements or risk non-recognition, targeting labs linked to China and Russia.RussiaOverseas testing and equipment labs must have reciprocity agreements or risk non-recognition, targeting labs linked to China and Russia.United Statesoriginating providers are not doing enough to vet their customers, allowing bad actors to infiltrate our U.S.