Getting cellular service is about to become a lot harder
The FCC wants carriers to have stronger customer screening rules.
The FCC wants to stop scammers from accessing cellular service. | Image by BLiNQ Networks
Fishy calls are a nuisance for customers, and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) wants to nip the problem in the bud. The Commission has proposed strengthening rules that govern how carriers vet their customers.
The FCC wants to bolster the "Know-Your-Customer" (KYC) rules. Under these stricter regulations, carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon would be required to perform more stringent screening of both new and renewing customers.
This would cut off bad actors at the source, preventing scammers from ever activating cellular service in the first place.
The FCC wants to implement stricter customer assessment standards. The Commission is weighing requirements for carriers to verify customer names, addresses, government IDs, and alternative phone numbers. Without these checks, service wouldn't be enabled.
While carriers are already required to ensure their networks aren't used for illegal calls, their current enforcement has been lenient. This negligence has allowed scammers to continue defrauding citizens while making it nearly impossible to hold them accountable.
Under the new proposal, carriers could face fines for KYC violations based on call volume.
Phone makers have tried to fight back by building screening tech into their phones, but scammers are historically great at outsmarting technology.
By forcing carriers to vet people before activating service, the FCC would make it harder for bad actors to get phone service. Without a working phone account, they won't be able to make illegal calls.
Some customers might be hesitant to hand over even more personal data to their carriers. After all, major carriers have been breached numerous times. Others might find the bar too high. For instance, not everyone will be able to provide an alternate number.
It's also not clear if the rules will apply to both postpaid and prepaid accounts. Usually, carriers don't put prepaid accounts through the same wringer as postpaid ones. If the FCC imposes a uniform standard, carriers will have to divert significant resources to compliance, likely dialing up costs that eventually get passed down to your monthly bill.
Stopping scammers in their tracks
The FCC wants to bolster the "Know-Your-Customer" (KYC) rules. Under these stricter regulations, carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon would be required to perform more stringent screening of both new and renewing customers.
Stronger verification
The FCC wants to implement stricter customer assessment standards. The Commission is weighing requirements for carriers to verify customer names, addresses, government IDs, and alternative phone numbers. Without these checks, service wouldn't be enabled.
Under the new proposal, carriers could face fines for KYC violations based on call volume.
Today’s item also bolsters our KYC enforcement by proposing per-call penalties. By tying fines directly to the harm caused, we are also helping to incentivize better vetting by originating providers.
Brendan Carr, Chairman FCC, April 2026
Why might such a proposal backfire?
Mostly a win
Phone makers have tried to fight back by building screening tech into their phones, but scammers are historically great at outsmarting technology.
By forcing carriers to vet people before activating service, the FCC would make it harder for bad actors to get phone service. Without a working phone account, they won't be able to make illegal calls.
Could introduce new problems
Some customers might be hesitant to hand over even more personal data to their carriers. After all, major carriers have been breached numerous times. Others might find the bar too high. For instance, not everyone will be able to provide an alternate number.
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