FCC Adopts Anti-Robocall Rules to Prevent Some Consumer Charges

Phone companies can’t add line-item charges to consumers’ bills for caller ID authentication technology, under new rules the Federal Communications Commission adopted Tuesday.

The agency’s latest move to combat illegal robocalls ensures that consumers won’t be charged for a new federal requirement that carriers implement technology that automatically bars illegal robocalls.

The order also requires phone companies to upgrade non-internet based phone networks so they can implement the caller ID technology standard. Phone companies that use such internet-based networks are required to implement the technology, known as STIR/SHAKEN, by the end of June 2021.