T-Mobile and UScellular on Monday announced they’re delivering STIR/SHAKEN number verification across networks marking another milestone in the industry’s ongoing fight to protect consumers from scams and unwanted robocalls.
Now, when a call comes in from T-Mobile to UScellular’s network (or vice versa), the companies will be able to validate it’s coming from the real phone number displayed in Caller ID, providing customers better ability to make decisions on which calls to answer. Customers using T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile or UScellular have greater peace of mind that calls are not being spoofed.
In summer 2020, T-Mobile launched another Un-carrier move: Scam Shield, a set of free solutions to protect customers against scams and unwanted robocalls. With Scam Shield, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile customers get automatic and free scam call detection as well as the option for free Caller ID and scam call blocking.
And now, T-Mobile offers consumers more than 190 devices that can display either “Number Verified” or “T-Mobile Verified” in Caller ID or, depending on the device, a check mark in the call log. This works on any call coming from a compatible mobile phone at T-Mobile, Metro by T-Mobile or another company that has implemented STIR/SHAKEN with T-Mobile to verify the source of the call.
UScellular has taken additional actions to help solve the frustrating and costly issue of unwanted calls. Through the company’s network blocking solution, highly fraudulent robocalls are blocked before ever reaching customers on UScellular’s VoLTE network, significantly reducing the amount of unwanted calls they receive.
The FCC requires STIR/SHAKEN standards be implemented by June 30, 2021 to digitally ensure that a call is in fact from the number displayed on Caller ID.
Abdul Saad, EVP and CTO, T-Mobile
We already have more cross-network STIR/SHAKEN partnerships than AT&T and Verizon combined. And Scam Shield, free to our customers, is the industry’s most comprehensive solution for fighting scams and robocalls.
Michael S. Irizarry, Ph.D., EVP and CTO, Engineering and Information Services at UScellular
When wireless providers come together like this, it is a win for consumers and businesses, and we will continue to enhance the tools and solutions we offer to keep our customers safeguarded from scams.
