WTA Files Reply Comments in Robocalls Proceeding

On August 23, WTA filed reply comments in response to the Commission’s Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in its robocalls proceeding and the initial comments filed in the record on July 24, 2019. WTA again outlined its concerns with a mandatory SHAKEN/STIR adoption and explained the barriers preventing RLECs from adopting the standard. WTA also called for protections for rural carriers as larger carriers begin to adopt call blocking procedures. WTA noted that the record is replete with various commenters sharing similar concerns – arguing that a poorly planned adoption could result in a “reverse call completion” issue due to calls being unnecessarily blocked. WTA argued that the Commission consider these concerns and take the necessary steps to ensure that small providers and consumers are protected from undue harm.