As reported by Business Wire, T-Mobile announced it will be advancing the ability to sort the wheat of legitimate calls from the chaff of spam and spoof dialers. The new innovation will combine authenticated Caller ID and Rich Call Data (RCD), using the STIR/SHAKEN framework. Partners making this possible include CTIA, Everbridge, First Orion, iconectiv, NetNumber, Numeracle, and Twilio.
Studies have shown that American consumers are likely to ignore calls coming from unrecognized numbers. RCD calls can identify and verify the caller with that organization’s logo. While the recipient might not know the incoming number, the assurance that it truly is the “right” pharmacy or mortgage company increases the odds that the call will be accepted.
“The ability to deliver RCD to mobile devices is a key tool in the battle against scammers as it increases consumer trust in knowing who is calling them and why,” stated T-Mobile CTO Abdul Saad. “This proof-of-concept shows that by working together as an industry we can make sure that legal, critical, and wanted calls are delivered with a high level of consumer confidence.”
Relying on RCD data means that the verification originates from the caller, not a third party, according to the telecom. A spammer masquerading as a bank would not be able to transmit the logo to authenticate the source. Channeling through the STIR/SHAKEN framework validates the source’s identity token using a digital signature to launch Public Key Infrastructure verification. Both RCD and STIR/SHAKEN mechanisms must be in operation for the system to operate successfully.
“Imagine a future where all phone calls will be delivered with RCD providing complete transparency and protection in every call for every consumer, enhancing the way businesses connect with their customers,” said President and Founder of First Orion, Jeff Stalnaker. “Working with T-Mobile and other industry leaders to deliver this first-ever mobile call with RCD and authenticated Caller ID is an important step in making Enhanced Caller Identity a reality.”
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