Ivan asks: “How are you handling TFN atestations?”

 

When the signer of a call gives A-level attestation, it means that the signer 
knows that the caller “is authorized to use” the calling number.

 

The signer can “know” that in any of a variety of ways. For toll-free numbers, 
the most sophisticated and secure is probably via Delegate Certificates. SOMOS, 
the North American Toll-Free Number Administrator, has commented about this in 
a current FCC proceeding: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10605623514445/1

 

As the signer, there are other ways you could determine that the caller is 
authorized to use the number. For example, you could solicit some documentation 
from them (like an invoice from their RespOrg and/or service provider) and you 
could call the number and verify that your caller answers. The regulations 
(today) do not specify exactly how you “know” so you (as the signer) need to 
act in the spirit of the rules.

 

This problem is not unique to toll-free numbers. I might have a geographic 
number that I obtain from provider A (and that’s how I get inbound calls to the 
number), but I make outbound calls from that number via providers B and C for 
redundancy and cost reasons.

 

Bear in mind that providers can set their own rules for what calls they will 
accept and what attestations they will assign, and those rules can be more 
restrictive than what might be dictated by regulation. For example, a provider 
might say “I will only assign A-level attestation to calls that use calling 
numbers assigned by me.” That’s their prerogative.  In fact, a provider might 
say: “I will only accept calls that use calling numbers assigned by me. Those 
calls will get A-level attestation. I will reject all other calls.” There are 
no rules (to my knowledge) that prohibit providers from setting these kinds of 
rules.

 

From: VoiceOps <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Ivan Kovacevic via 
VoiceOps
Sent: Friday, July 7, 2023 7:27 AM
To: Voice Ops <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [VoiceOps] STIR/SHAKEN warning!

 

Hopefully on-topic. How are you handling TFN atestations?  

 

Although a part of NANP - it's a different technology at the network level in 
terms of chain of authority and routing.

 

RespOrg manages the number, but can provision and use many carriers to make 
outbound calls using the TFN Caller ID (and to receive inbound calls via the 
same TFN)... RespOrgs is not necessarily a carrier - who and how checks that 
RespOrg has the authority in case of delegated attestation. I may be 
overcomplicating it in my mind.. but it doesn't feel like the regulation maps 
1-to-1 over to TFNs... Just wondering what everyone's experience is. 

 

Thanks,

 

Ivan

 

_______________________________________________
VoiceOps mailing list
[email protected]
https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/voiceops

Reply via email to