Two Telcos Ordered to Stop Carrying Robocalls

The Federal Communications Commission has ordered two companies to stop carrying robocall and spoofing campaigns on their networks, the latest in a series of actions the agency has taken to try to stamp out the annoying calls.

The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau sent cease and desist letters to VaultTel Solutions and Prestige DR VoIP demanding that they immediately stop carrying illegal robocall campaigns on their networks and report on the concrete steps they implemented to prevent a recurrence.

“We need to use every tool we have to get these junk calls off of our networks,” said FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel. “From these new cease-and-desist letters to STIR/SHAKEN implementation to large fines and our robocall mitigation database, we are going to do everything we can to protect consumers from these nuisance calls. We’re not going to stop until we get robocallers, spoofers, and scammers off the line.”

The Enforcement Bureau said it has evidence that the companies transmitted multiple illegal robocall campaigns on their networks.  The FCC has made clear that, if the practice doesn’t stop, other network operators will be authorized to block traffic from these companies altogether.  

The Bureau issued similar letters to other companies in March and April.  In response to the previous letters, most of those companies appear to have stopped carrying robocall campaigns and taken steps to prevent reoccurrences, the FCC said. 

The FCC has been building a file on robocallers, in hopes of eradicating them. The agency today launched its Robocall Mitigation Database, which requires phone companies to document their efforts to stamp out illegal robocalls.

Today’s letters make clear that VaultTel Solutions and Prestige DR VoIP must take steps to “effectively mitigate illegal traffic” within 48 hours.  If they fail to do so within 14 days, other networks will be authorized to block traffic from them.