US carriers have recently implemented high connectivity standards for all calls to the US (+1) when using a US CLI. These have been put in place as an attempt to eliminate unauthorised and spam calling. To enforce these standards, US regulators have introduced heavy penalties for non-compliance, with fines reaching up to $2,500 per call.

To avoid hitting these restrictions, we’ve compiled the following list of steps that you can take:

1. Register with the Free Call Registry

The major US carriers use third-party analytics companies to determine what is spam.You should register your business numbers with the Free Call Registry. By using this portal, your data is shared with the three lead analytics engines responsible for identifying and verifying legitimate business calls.

Hiya: Powers AT&T and Samsung devices.

First Orion: Powers T-Mobile devices.

Transaction Network Services (TNS): Powers Verizon devices.

Visit the Free Call Registry website to "whitelist" your numbers as legitimate.

2. Remediation for Specific Apps

Many smartphones use specific apps to filter calls. You can request a manual "False Positive" review:

Google Phone App (Android): If flagged, you can report it as a "False Positive" through the Feedback Tools within the Google Phone app settings.

Samsung (Smart Call): Samsung is powered by Hiya. If you have completed Step 1, you are largely covered, but you can also reach out to Hiya Support directly.

3. Adjust your dialling habits

Many legitimate numbers are flagged because their activity mimics a bot. To bypass the spam filters, please follow these best practices:

Checking your Contacts List: Make sure that you aren’t calling "unallocated" (dead) numbers. This signals to the carrier that you are using an old, bought, or randomly generated list. You can use a "number validation" service to identify and remove disconnected lines from your list before you dial them.

Avoid short duration calls: Short calls (under 6 seconds) are a big red flag for "SDR" (Short Duration Ratio) metrics. If a customer doesn't answer, don't just hang up immediately. If you reach a mailbox, leave a brief, professional message. This pushes the call length and improves your average call duration.

Use a Consistent Caller ID: Frequent changes to your outbound caller ID can look like Neighbor Spoofing (trying to trick people into answering by using a local area code). Stick to a consistent, verified business number. This helps the upstream providers verify your identity over time, leading to a higher Attestation (Trust) Level under the STIR/SHAKEN rules.

Regulate outbound call frequency: Carriers look for "bursts" of traffic. If you make 100 calls in 5 minutes and then nothing for the rest of the day, it looks like an automated dialer and may get flagged. Space out your outgoing calls. A steady, consistent flow of calls throughout the day looks much more like a legitimate business.

For more information on the specific metrics of these restrictions, please see our FAQ here.

If you have any questions, please contact our friendly Support Team on 0330 122 6000, or send us an email!