Bye-Bye Robocalls? FCC Proposes Tough New Rules to Block Spam Calls
Published Date: 12/5/2025
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FCC is stepping up to fight annoying robocalls by making caller ID info clearer and more trustworthy. They want phone companies to show verified caller names and flag calls from outside the U.S., so you know who’s really calling. Comments on these changes are open until early 2026, aiming to make your phone ring less with scams and more with real calls.
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Show Verified Caller Names With A-Level Calls
The FCC proposes to require terminating phone providers to transmit a verified caller name (or other verified caller identity information) to your handset whenever they show an A-level attestation indicator for a call. This requirement would apply only when the terminating provider already chooses to present an A-level indicator to the handset.
Require Secure Transmission Using Rich Call Data
The FCC seeks comment on requiring providers to use Rich Call Data (RCD) to transmit verified caller identity information (including caller name, logos, links) on IP networks and on an alternative to require RCD implementation for all calls. RCD would place caller identity into digitally signed PASSporT tokens for end-to-end verification.
Mark and Flag Calls From Outside U.S.
The FCC proposes to require gateway, intermediate, and terminating providers to identify calls that originate from outside the United States and to transmit an indicator to consumer handsets when they know or reasonably believe a call originated abroad. The FCC also proposes to prohibit spoofing of U.S. telephone numbers for calls that originate outside the United States.
Originators Must Verify Caller Identity Information
The FCC proposes to require originating providers that transmit caller identity information to employ reasonable measures to verify the accuracy of that information before transmission. The Commission seeks comment on what measures should count as reasonable and whether rules should prescribe specific verification steps.
Consider Conditioning A-Level Attestation on Verification
The FCC seeks comment on an alternative approach: making verification of caller identity information a condition of granting an A-level STIR/SHAKEN attestation. The Commission asks whether this could reduce misleading A-level attestations or create burdens that reduce A-level usage in the short term.
Minimum Requirement: Verified Caller Name
The FCC proposes adopting a minimum requirement that caller identity information include a verified name (personal or business) to present to consumers. The proposal notes that a verified name is the most reasonable minimum because some callers will not have logos or other branding.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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