AT&T CEO Says He Can't Deploy Robocall Blockers Without FCC Approval. He's Wrong (2016)

5 hours ago

AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson admits he hates robocalls and blocks them on his personal line, but claims his company cannot deploy robocall blockers for all customers without FCC approval.
The FCC directly contradicts Stephenson, stating there are no legal obstacles to carriers offering robocall-blocking services and that the Chairman has repeatedly urged carriers to do so.
Other providers like Time Warner Cable and Verizon have already integrated robocall blockers like Nomorobo without any FCC approval process, showing that such deployment is feasible.
AT&T already offers a limited call-blocking landline service for $8.50/month, which blocks up to 10 numbers and anonymous callers, but this conflicts with its claim of needing perfect accuracy.
AT&T's assertion that it cannot risk blocking legitimate calls is undermined by its own existing service and the use of whitelisting by other blockers to avoid blocking emergency calls.

Anti-fraud tools lag behind scammers who exploit cheap internet calling and artificial intelligence.
No single solution exists; authentication, traceback, call blocking, and enforcement must work together.
STIR/SHAKEN authentication is not a silver bullet; bad actors obtain legitimate numbers to bypass it.

FCC's plan to require personal information for phone numbers to combat scam calls will fail and harm privacy.
Requiring ID and address would prevent anonymous phone lines, endangering vulnerable groups like domestic violence survivors.
The rule won't reduce spam calls, as most originate overseas and technical solutions like STIR/SHAKEN exist.

The FCC proposes requiring phone companies to collect names, physical addresses, government IDs, and alternate phone numbers from customers to combat robocallers.
Privacy advocates and domestic violence survivor groups oppose the plan, arguing it harms individuals using prepaid 'burner phones' to protect their privacy and safety.
Critics, including the National Network to End Domestic Violence, say the proposal would force survivors to disclose identities and locations, endangering them.

Federal judge Linda Lopez denied AT&T's request for a preliminary injunction, allowing California to enforce Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules requiring AT&T to offer basic phone service to new customers.
AT&T sued California to end COLR obligations, arguing the rules are preempted by FCC orders, but the court ruled against its immediate injunction request.
AT&T plans to stop offering basic phone service to new customers and discontinue service for 184,000 residential and 15,000 business customers by June 1, 2027.

No calls5 days ago

Zeke Gabrielse, founder of Keygen, implemented a strict 'no calls' policy because he hated sales calls as an introvert.
He removed the 'book a call' button from his pricing page and instead directed leads to email, asking them to CC relevant team members.
This async approach led to speaking directly with engineers and decision-makers, bypassing red tape and closing an enterprise sale with a Fortune 1000 company.

Anti-fraud tools lag behind scammers who exploit cheap internet calling and artificial intelligence.
No single solution exists; authentication, traceback, call blocking, and enforcement must work together.
STIR/SHAKEN authentication is not a silver bullet; bad actors obtain legitimate numbers to bypass it.

FCC's plan to require personal information for phone numbers to combat scam calls will fail and harm privacy.
Requiring ID and address would prevent anonymous phone lines, endangering vulnerable groups like domestic violence survivors.
The rule won't reduce spam calls, as most originate overseas and technical solutions like STIR/SHAKEN exist.

The FCC proposes requiring phone companies to collect names, physical addresses, government IDs, and alternate phone numbers from customers to combat robocallers.
Privacy advocates and domestic violence survivor groups oppose the plan, arguing it harms individuals using prepaid 'burner phones' to protect their privacy and safety.
Critics, including the National Network to End Domestic Violence, say the proposal would force survivors to disclose identities and locations, endangering them.

Federal judge Linda Lopez denied AT&T's request for a preliminary injunction, allowing California to enforce Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) rules requiring AT&T to offer basic phone service to new customers.
AT&T sued California to end COLR obligations, arguing the rules are preempted by FCC orders, but the court ruled against its immediate injunction request.
AT&T plans to stop offering basic phone service to new customers and discontinue service for 184,000 residential and 15,000 business customers by June 1, 2027.

No calls5 days ago

Zeke Gabrielse, founder of Keygen, implemented a strict 'no calls' policy because he hated sales calls as an introvert.
He removed the 'book a call' button from his pricing page and instead directed leads to email, asking them to CC relevant team members.
This async approach led to speaking directly with engineers and decision-makers, bypassing red tape and closing an enterprise sale with a Fortune 1000 company.

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