INCOMPAS Urges FCC to Maintain Focus on IP Transition in NOI on Non-IP Network Caller ID Authentication

WASHINGTON, D.C. – January 24, 2023 – INCOMPAS, the internet and competitive networks association, released the following statement on reply comments the association filed on Monday in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s Notice of Inquiry seeking comment on the agency’s efforts to implement caller ID authentication for non-Internet Protocol (IP) networks:

“Voice service providers have made great strides in implementing STIR/SHAKEN, and a full transition to IP traffic exchange is the best and most effective alternative for caller ID authentication,” said INCOMPAS CEO Chip Pickering. “Doing this will unleash the power of a fully deployed STIR/SHAKEN framework providing significant consumer protection benefits.

“Adopting a non-IP caller ID authentication solution is a short-term fix that will inadvertently worsen the problem by discouraging providers from investing in the necessary upgrades to IP. Capitulating to the status quo will only incentivize incumbents against transitioning to IP.

INCOMPAS has joined an effort with other leading trade associations to create a viable path for Internet Protocol Voice Service Providers to interconnect for purposes of exchanging IP voice traffic and solving the scourge of illegal robocalls. We appreciate our industry partners’ efforts to identify the technical solutions necessary to achieve more ubiquitous IP interconnection, and encourage the Commission to monitor industry’s efforts to facilitate interconnection agreements among willing providers.”

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