What changed for voice providers in 2026.

Actions in date order

Background: 2025

• Aug. 6, 2025Enforcement

  The FCC removes 185 filings

  The Enforcement Bureau removed 185 certifications from the Robocall Mitigation Database because they lacked required information.

  Source: Order DA 25-694

• Aug. 25, 2025Enforcement

  The FCC removes 1,203 more

  A second order removed 1,203 filings that still lacked a mitigation plan or other required information. Other providers had to stop accepting calls directly from the removed companies. A removed company may not re-file without approval from both the Wireline Competition Bureau and the Enforcement Bureau.

  What it meansRemoval is for paperwork, not only for robocalling. The FCC's July 2026 proposal counts more than 1,400 deficient filings removed since January 2025.

  Source: Order DA 25-737

2026

• Feb. 5, 2026In effect

  New database rules and fines take effect

  The base forfeiture becomes $10,000 for false or inaccurate filing information and $1,000 for failing to update a filing within 10 business days of a change. Violations continue until cured and are assessed daily. Annual recertification becomes a rule, and the portal now requires multi-factor login. The FCC also adopted a $100 filing fee, which its notice said was not yet in effect.

  What it meansA filing copied from a template in 2021 and never touched is now a daily liability.

  Source: Public notice DA 26-72

• Feb. 11, 2026Advisory

  CPNI advisory: no exemption for small companies

  The Enforcement Bureau reminded carriers and interconnected VoIP providers that the annual CPNI certification applies regardless of company size. It cited forfeitures of up to $251,322 for each violation or each day of a continuing violation, up to a maximum of $2,513,215.

  Source: Enforcement advisory DA 26-139

• Mar. 1, 2026In effect

  First annual recertification deadline

  Every filer had to certify that the information in its filing was true and correct. The window opened February 1. The deadline now repeats every March 1.

  What it meansPut February on the calendar every year.

  Source: 47 CFR 64.6305(h) · Public notice DA 26-72

• Mar. 24, 2026Enforcement

  35 companies ordered to fix their filings or be removed

  The Enforcement Bureau gave 35 named companies 14 calendar days to cure deficient certifications or explain why they should stay listed.

  Source: Order DA 26-282

• May 1, 2026Proposed

  Proposed: stronger know-your-customer rules

  The FCC asked for comment on customer identification requirements for new and renewing customers, and on requiring originating providers to verify, retain and re-verify customer information.

  What it meansNot a rule yet. Today's rule already requires affirmative, effective measures to know your customers.

  Source: Further notice FCC 26-27

• May 21, 2026Proposed

  Proposed: know-your-upstream-provider rules

  The FCC proposed expanded duties to vet the providers that send you traffic. It would define a voice service provider as any entity that provides voice service for a given call. The notice uses the term to include providers without their own facilities, such as interconnected VoIP resellers and mobile virtual network operators.

  Source: Further notice FCC 26-32

• July 23, 2026Proposed

  Proposed: an overhaul of the database itself

  The proposal would spell out who must file, add disclosures such as a U.S. registered agent and the third parties a provider relies on, let the FCC hold a filing before it appears in the database, and give a provider five days to cure some violations. The FCC says it believes voice service includes PBXs, dialing platforms, cloud service providers, over-the-top providers, call centers and telephone number service providers when they furnish calling that uses North American Numbering Plan numbers. It also asks whether a missed March 1 recertification should suspend a filing automatically. The comment deadline is October 9, 2026. The reply comment deadline is November 9, 2026.

  What it meansCompanies that never thought of themselves as phone companies are in view. If it is adopted, every existing filer will have more to disclose.

  Source: Further notice FCC 26-49 · Federal Register, 91 FR 57454

• Aug. 27, 2026Enforcement

  Nine companies ordered to cure for ignoring tracebacks

  The Enforcement Bureau found that nine companies had failed to respond to multiple traceback requests, contrary to the 24-hour commitment in their own certifications, and ordered them to cure or explain why they should stay listed.

  What it meansThe traceback inbox has to be watched every business day.

  Source: Order DA 26-873

• Sept. 2, 2026Enforcement

  14 companies removed

  Fourteen of the 35 companies named in March neither fixed their filings nor explained why they should stay listed. The FCC removed their certifications and gave all other providers two business days to stop accepting their traffic. A removed company may not re-file unless both bureaus consent.

  Source: Order DA 26-872

• Sept. 2, 2026Proposed

  A public robocall scorecard

  The same day, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau asked for comment on publishing a scorecard that rates voice service providers on robocall mitigation.

  Source: Public notice DA 26-932