FCC Chairman Carr proposes stronger robocall rules

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr proposed new rules to require carriers to take stronger actions to combat illegal robocalls. Let's have a look.

Highlights

The proposed rules would:

• Cut voice service providers that enable illegal robocalls out of the voice ecosystem using improved know-your-upstream-provider requirements and STIR/SHAKEN oversight,
• Raise the standards for how voice service providers apply STIR/SHAKEN attestations,
• Close STIR/SHAKEN implementation loopholes.

These proposed rules from Chairman Carr will be issued in a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and scheduled for a vote by the full Commission in its Open Meeting on May 20, 2026.

Brendan Carr
FCC Chairman

“We must bring meaningful robocall relief to consumers. The FCC is attacking the problem of illegal robocalls at every point in the call path in order to help consumers and restore trust in America's voice networks. These proposals set the stage for significant advancement toward those goals by aiming to get providers to take accountability and step up their game in our shared battle against illegal robocalls.”

Other robocall-related proceedings

The proposed rules above would build on other recent Commission proceedings related to robocall prevention. Here's a recap of the last three proceedings:

• Combatting Illegal Robocalls Through FCC Numbering Policies. Proposed rules would define intermediate numbers as numbers made available for use by other carriers or resellers (does not include ported numbers). Reporting carriers would report their numbering inventory to NANPA semiannually, including identification of resellers that received intermediate numbers. Resellers would be required to certify in the Robocall Mitigation Database. Adopted March 26, 2026. The comment due date has not been set.
• Call Center Onshoring. Proposed rules would require telecommunications carriers using customer service representatives outside of the U.S. to ensure that the reps are proficient in English, inform callers that they are outside of the U.S., and tell callers that they may request a transfer to a rep in the U.S. Foreign reps cannot have access to or transmit sensitive customer information. Carriers cannot use customer support reps located in a foreign adversary nation. Adopted March 26, 2026. Comments due May 26, 2026; reply comments due June 22, 2026.
• Combatting Robocalls Through Enhanced Know-Your-Customer (KYC) Requirements. The proposed rules would assess penalties for violations of KYC rules by Originating Service Providers (OSPs) on a per-call basis. The Notice seeks comments on the types of information and supporting records that OSPs should collect, retention and re-verification requirements, and related issues. Commission to vote on April 30, 2026.

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