Chairman Wheeler Statement On Progress Toward Offering Consumer Robocall Blocking Choices

AT&T recently announced that it would provide customers with robocall-blocking technology, causing FCC chairman Tom Wheeler to release a statement today on the progress of this initiative

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler issued the following statement today on AT&T’s response to his letter calling for action on providing robocall-blocking services to consumers: 

“I applaud AT&T for committing to make robocall-blocking technology available to its customers, as I requested in a letter to the company last week. Since giving consumers meaningful control over the calls and texts they receive will require collective action by the industry; I am gratified that AT&T will lead an industry strike force to develop an action plan for providing consumers with robust robocall-blocking solutions. Last week, I asked all the major phone companies to develop just such a plan; I strongly urge industry participants to join the effort and to produce conclusions within 60 days.” 

Last week, Chairman Wheeler sent letters to the CEOs of major wireless and wireline phone companies, calling on them to offer call-blocking services to their customers.  He also sent letters to intermediary carriers that connect robocallers to the consumer's phone company, reminding them of their responsibility to help facilitate the offering of blocking technologies. Last summer, the FCCmade clear that there are no legal obstacles to carriers offering consumers robocall-blocking services.  Some IP and mobile phone networks are already utilizing these services and the Commission is committed to doing everything it can to further empower consumers to control unwanted calls and texts.

Source: FCC Release