UPDATE The FCC Enforcement Bureau proposed fines against 12 telecoms that apparently failed to submit timely phone number disconnection information to the Reassigned Number Database. The database is a resource for callers to avoid making unwanted and potentially illegal calls directed toward consumers whose numbers have been reassigned.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel says compliance is critical to reducing the number of wrong number robocalls. “We are using every tool we can to combat illegal robocalls. For our efforts to be successful, carriers need to play their part and follow the rules,” said Rosenworcel. “When they fail to do so, we will not hesitate to act as these first-of-their-kind enforcement actions make abundantly clear.”
Millions of phone numbers are reassigned each month. When a consumer gets a new phone number that was previously assigned to someone else, businesses and other callers need to have access to the most complete, accurate, and up-to-date information. This also helps the prior number holder who may not be receiving calls he or she expects, like notifications from a doctor’s office, financial institution, or school, according to the Commission.
Under FCC rules, phone companies must submit permanent number disconnection information to the Reassigned Numbers Database administrator by the 15th of each month. To improve understanding of these rules and ensure compliance, the FCC hosted a webinar on the new database after it launched last year. Under agency rules, every provider that obtains North American Numbering Plan U.S. geographic numbers must submit disconnection information for the database.
The bureau issued a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture for each of the telecoms. They are: BendTel, Claro Puerto Rico, Communications Plus, Data Network Solutions, Fort Mojave Telecom, Integrated Path, Local Access, Palo Communications, Point Broadband Fiber, Salsgiver Telecom, Stratford Mutual, and Swayzee FiberHawk.
The NAL contains allegations that advise a party on how it has apparently violated the law and may set forth a proposed monetary penalty. Neither the allegations nor the proposed sanctions in the NALs are final Commission actions. The telecoms will be able to respond, and the Commission will consider their evidence submissions and legal arguments before acting further to resolve the cases.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
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