If you are sending calls to the United States, you are probably seeing a reduction in your ASRs. It is going to get worse.

The U.S. has implemented a program to reduce robocalls, scam calls, and other annoyances, through a Federal Law called Stir-Shaken.

Stir-Shaken attempts to validate sending DIDs, and block those using invalid DIDs, DIDs that have not been issued to the calling party, or are from calling parties who are not registered in the U.S. data base as an approved service provider.

By law, on June 30th, any call terminating in the United States must have a Stir-Shaken token attached to its data stream. This applies to calls using VoIP anywhere along the call path, and will apply to TDM calls, later. If your calls do not have the correct token attached, or have no token, your calls may be blocked by the terminating carrier, or routed to the end user’s voice mail.

By law, any service provider originating calls that terminate in the USA, must register with the Federal government by September 28th of this year. Carriers terminating calls to the end users must check the Federal data base to validate the sending service provider – if you aren’t listed, your calls will be blocked.

We can help.

As a USA registered service provider, we can generate stir-shaken tokens for you, and we can register you with the USA Federal government.

Here is how we can generate tokens for you:

· SIP pass-through. Send your calls directly to Prescott-Martini. We will generate a digital token, and the call will be returned to you for processing with your existing carriers, or we can send your calls to our Tier 1 carrier for termination at very low rates (average USA termination rate is US$.0021, plus the cost of the token).

· HTTPS – API. We can install an API on your platform that will generate tokens internally. This is the most efficient and secure approach to generating tokens, but it does require a bit of volume to be economically feasible.

· MYSQL. Most users can send a Stir-Shaken request to Prescott-Martini via MYSQL. We will return a digital token to you via a 302 redirect code for insertion into your SIP header.

· SIP. If you are unable to send a call using MYSQL, send a request via SIP. Prescott-Martini will return a digital token via 302 redirect code for insertion into your SIP header.

Registering you with the U.S. government as an authorized service provider is a complicated process, that will require some time. Here are the steps:

· Step 1: Obtain a US based EIN. An Employer Identification Number (EIN) is also known as a Federal Tax Identification Number, and is used to identify a business entity, normally supplied by the IRS - Internal Revenue Service.

· Step 2: Obtain a FRN. An FRN, or FCC registration number, is a 10-digit number that is assigned to a business or individual registering with the FCC. This unique FRN is used to identify the registrant's business dealings with the FCC.

· Step 3: Register as an IPR (Intermediate Provider Registry). An intermediate provider is a carrier that offers the capability to transmit voice communications from one destination to another for a fee. All IPRs must register with the FCC.

· Step 4: Obtain a 499 ID. The FCC Form 499 Filer Database is an identification system for all interstate telecommunications carriers, all interconnected VoIP providers, and certain other providers of interstate telecommunications.

· Step 5: Hire a registered agent in Washington D.C. area for Service of Process. The FCC requires all 499 ID carriers to have an individual or entity which has been designated to receive service of process notices, government correspondence and compliance-related documents on behalf of the carrier.

· Step 6: File with the FCC Robocall Mitigation Database by June 30, 2021. File your mitigation plan, that should include using Stir-Shaken procedures.

Good News.

We can get you an EIN that is used only for FCC / USAC filings and does not cause any requirements for filings with the IRS.

We can complete the registration process of steps 2 thru 5 in less than two weeks, if we have all the required information.