47 U.S.C. § 227b–1: Access to number resources

Summary

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must start a review within 180 days after December 30, 2019 to see how its rules about access to phone numbers, including toll-free and regular numbers, could be changed. The FCC should consider requiring registration and other rules, and making service providers who get numbers verify who their customers are, to help stop people who might break section 227(b) from getting numbers. If the FCC finds these changes would help, it must write rules to put them in place. Anyone who knowingly helps get numbers from a common carrier regulated under Title II in violation of those rules will be fined under section 503(b) of the Communications Act. That fine is in addition to any other penalties and applies even if section 503(b)(5) would otherwise limit it.

Title 47, §227b–1

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

(1)Examination of FCC policies

Not later than 180 days after December 30, 2019, the Commission shall commence a proceeding to determine how Commission policies regarding access to number resources, including number resources for toll-free and non-toll-free telephone numbers, could be modified, including by establishing registration and compliance obligations, and requirements that providers of voice service given access to number resources take sufficient steps to know the identity of the customers of such providers, to help reduce access to numbers by potential perpetrators of violations of section 227(b) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 227(b)).

(2)Regulations

If the Commission determines under paragraph (1) that modifying the policies described in that paragraph could help achieve the goal described in that paragraph, the Commission shall prescribe regulations to implement those policy modifications.

(b)Authority

Any person who knowingly, through an employee, agent, officer, or otherwise, directly or indirectly, by or through any means or device whatsoever, is a party to obtaining number resources, including number resources for toll-free and non-toll-free telephone numbers, from a common carrier regulated under title II of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 201 et seq.), in violation of a regulation prescribed under subsection (a), shall, notwithstanding section 503(b)(5) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 503(b)(5)), be subject to a forfeiture penalty under section 503(b) of that Act (47 U.S.C. 503(b)). A forfeiture penalty under this subsection shall be in addition to any other penalty provided for by law.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Communications Act of 1934, referred to in subsec. (b), is act June 19, 1934, ch. 652, 48 Stat. 1064. Title II of the Act is classified generally to this subchapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 609 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Pallone-Thune Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal

Enforcement

and Deterrence Act, also known as the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, and not as part of the Communications Act of 1934 which comprises this chapter.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Definition For definition of “Commission” as used in this section, see section 2 of Pub. L. 116–105, set out as a note under section 227 of this title.

§227b–1 Access to Number Resources