The FCC has begun a campaign to make Americans safer from unwanted robotexts by requiring Communication Service Providers (CSPs) to block certain robotext messages. How does this affect Communication Service Providers at all levels?
In this blog, we will discuss everything that a service providers needs to know about the FCC Order:
The FCC estimated that consumers incur a 5 cent nuisance harm for each spam text received with an annual harm of $2 billion.
“Since we released the NPRM, the number of spam texts has increased to an estimated 147 billion annually. Assuming a 5 cent nuisance cost per spam text and a conservative $2 billion fraud cost for all spam texts, the total harm of spam texts would be $9.35 billion annually” – FCC Order 23-21
So the FCC has issued a ruling, known as FCC 23-21, which amends the rules relating to telephone solicitations or telemarketing calls or texts to wireless telephone numbers. The ruling requires express written consent for a call or text message to be delivered using an automated system or an artificial or prerecorded voice.
The ruling also mandates that CSPs block texts purporting to be from North American Numbering Plan (NANP) numbers on a reasonable Do-Not-Originate (DNO) list, which includes numbers that are invalid, unallocated, or unused, and NANP numbers for which the subscriber has requested that texts purporting to originate from that number be blocked.
Additional information that a CSP should know about the FCC Order includes a requirement for CSPs to establish a point of contact for senders to resolve issues of erroneously blocked texts.
The ruling amends § 64.1200 with paragraph (r): “A mobile wireless provider must provide a point of contact or ensure its aggregator partners or blocking contractors that block text messages on its network provide a point of contact to resolve complaints about erroneous blocking from message senders that can document that their messages have been blocked. Such point of contact may be the same point of contact for voice call blocking error complaints.”
The FCC acknowledged “that mobile wireless providers will need sufficient time in which to comply with these new requirements.” The requirement requires CSPs to ensure compliance within six months after publication of notice of OMB approval under the Paperwork Reduction Act to allow “parties sufficient time to update their processes and come into compliance.”
The FCC notes that the benefits of the rules adopted in this Report and Order significantly outweigh their costs.
The full FCC Order can be accessed here.
What A CSP Should Be Commenting To Their Users Now
The FCC is giving consumers advice on how to protect themselves from text scams. As a Communication Service Provider, you have the opportunity to do the same, demonstrating your active efforts to minimize robotext messages on behalf of your clients – improving service, and communicating your efforts on their behalf.
Communications to customers should include the following key points:
By communicating these points to your customers, you can help them protect themselves from text scams and demonstrate your commitment to their safety and security.
The 7 Actions A CSP Should Take Immediately To Comply With The FCC Anti-Robotext Order
To comply with the FCC Anti-Robotext Order, CSPs should take the following immediate actions:
By taking these actions, CSPs can not only comply with the new FCC regulations but also contribute to a safer communication environment for their users.
Stay ahead of the curve by partnering with a team that specializes in security for CSPs, like YouMailPS. Our no-obligation demo will help you see why we’re the most trusted partner in the industry.