For service providers using the Vitelity platform
Following the FCC Fourth Report and Order, we have some upcoming changes to how the Vitelity portal will handle STIR/SHAKEN treatment for our wholesale service provider signed customers.If you are a service provider subject to FCC Orders related to STIR/SHAKEN and robocall mitigation, this applies to you. If you are a retail small business not reselling interconnected VoIP services, and are not subject to FCC Orders for this topic, this does not apply to you.
The FCC has accelerated the deadline from June 30, 2023 to June 30, 2022 for non-facilities-based small providers to provide STIR/SHAKEN. Non-facilities-based small providers qualify if they are less than 100,000 subscriber lines.
The FCC and the Traced Act both require every originating service provider to implement STIR/SHAKEN. Service providers include any entity who provides voice or fax as a service to an end user outside of their organization.
While many service providers were originally unable to participate, due to their inability to obtain certificates (driven by an earlier STI-GA requirement restricting participants to service providers who had direct access to phone numbers), this requirement was replaced in May 2021. Service providers are now able to obtain their own certificates in connection with their registration in the FCC Robocall Mitigation Database. Specifically, you can register with iconectiv as a service provider and then obtain your own certificates.
How will the policy for signing specific calls change?
Since all service providers can register and obtain their own certificates now, Vitelity is updating its policy for signing certain calls. As of June 30, 2022, Vitelity will not be the service provider of the call, and Vitelity will sign the calls as an intermediate voice service provider.Signing calls in this way will result in an attestation level of B. If you choose to not obtain your own service provider certification, we will continue to sign calls as B-level. However, you should consult your regulatory attorney as you may be in violation of the Traced Act and the FCC's Report and Orders implementing the Traced Act.
To support higher attestation levels, service providers must obtain their own certificate and use Vitelity Hosted Authentication, or pursue their own stir-shaken implementation.
Can Vitelity help sign calls?
If you're obtaining your service provider certification but have concerns about assuming the technical requirements of signing calls, Vitelity offers Hosted Authentication Service via our affiliate Sinch Voice. The service uses your certificate to sign your calls.For normal calling patterns, there is no additional charge per minute or per call for outbound voice services.
How do I obtain a certificate?
We have detailed the steps to obtain a certificate. The process typically takes 2-3 weeks; however, due to the expected demand to meet the FCC's deadline of June 30, 2022, there could be longer wait times.We want to assist you with moving forward with STIR/SHAKEN, please contact us at IQ-CustomerCompliance@sinch.com if you have any questions.