FCC Establishes Reassigned Number Database as Part of Robocall Relief Efforts

Carriers will track and report disconnected numbers to the new database

The FCC has begun the next step in its process to eliminate unwanted robocalls by creating a database of telephone numbers that have been disconnected and possibly reassigned. The Reassigned Number Database (RND) will enable callers such as pharmacies and financial institutions to verify – before calling a number – that the number they’re calling has not been permanently disconnected or reassigned to another customer. The RND is part of the FCC’s Second Report and Order in the matter of Advanced Methods to Target and Eliminate Unlawful Robocalls, which became effective March 26, 2019.

Once the database is operational, all carriers that receive numbering resources from the numbering administrators and/or another telecommunications carrier will be required to maintain a record of the most recent date each telephone number allocated or ported to the reporting carrier was permanently disconnected. Carriers then will report those disconnected numbers to the database each month.

A number is considered permanently disconnected when a subscriber has relinquished the number or the provider permanently disassociates a number with a subscriber for active service in its records. Permanently disconnected numbers do not include instances where the phone number is still associated with the subscriber, such as when a subscriber’s phone service has been disconnected temporarily for non-payment of a bill or when a consumer ports a number to another provider.

Reporting Effective Dates
Smaller companies (those with fewer than 100,000 subscriber lines) will begin keeping the disconnected telephone number records and reporting to the RND six months after the effective date for large providers. The effective date for large providers has not been set. The FCC will announce the dates for both types of carriers once the database is up and running.

Database Design
The FCC has tasked the North American Numbering Council’s Number Administration Oversight Working Group to develop the technical requirements to build the RND. JSI is a member of this working group and is crafting the service bureau requirements for the database (i.e., the registration process, reporting on multiple OCNs, etc.) and contributing the process for rural carrier reporting standards, such as manual reporting and how to report no data. The technical requirements document is due for full NANC review and vote in June. The FCC will issue a public notice for comments regarding the RND specifics.

If you have any questions about the Reassigned Number Database or anything numbering/porting related, please contact Bridget Alexander White in JSI’s Maryland office at 301-459-7590.