VoIP for Independent Telecoms

A good project manager can make a huge difference when you're trying to execute your projects. It's not just about tracking tasks and hitting dates on a calendar - a good project manager also has domain expertise, and can help to spot risks, and make sure the project goes smoothly - whether that's migrations or product launches or fiber builds.

For more information check out cbsrome.com and in particular this blog post for a quick reference on project management best practices. Or connect with Tara on LinkedIn.

In our discussion we'll cover:

• why a blockchain could work better than STIR/SHAKEN to give users control of their DNs
• how users could be given powerful control of who can and can't call their number
• how a similar approach is already being used for text messaging.

For more information check out tsgglobal.com, tnid.com or email [email protected].

For more information, please check out the following links:

• MaX by Metaswitch Blog
• MaX UC with MCT (Connector for Teams) Youtube demo
• MaX UC Desktop video demo

For more information check out the following links:

• Are my customers making illegal robocalls? (Article with diagram)
• Why are my calls being marked as spam - with Greg Blumstein of TrueCNAM (Podcast episode)
• How YouMail uses Machine Learning to block robocalls (Article)
• ECG website

Other topics covered:
 - Why it's great to work with rural ILECs.
 - What products have worked, and what didn't, over the years.
 - The tension between technical advancement and the regulations that cover compensation.
 - What to expect in the future.
 - You can learn more about Toly Digital at tolydigital.net.

Topics include:
 - TelcoBridges unusual approach of focusing on specific products, rather than trying to do everything
 - Why is a partnership between Metaswitch and TelcoBridges good - for TelcoBridges, for Metaswitch, and for their mutual customers?
 - Should telcos be concerned about having too many vendors in their network?
 - For more information, read our article about this partnership, and check out the TelcoBridges website.

Useful links:
- ATIS-1000095 Extending SHAKEN over TDM
- ATIS-1000096 SHAKEN OOB PASSPORT for TDM
- ATIS-1000097 Technical report on alternatives for non-IP traffic.
- TransNexus STIR/SHAKEN information hub.

For more information on some of the topics, check out the links below:
- TrueCNAM: https://truecnam.com/ - you're welcome to contact their team to query your score.
- More info about legal vs illegal robocalls (although remember that the reputation is based on whether calls are unwanted, not whether they're illegal).
- The FCC Fourth Report and Order on robocalling says "We require that all originating voice service providers know their customers and exercise due diligence in ensuring that their services are not used to originate illegal traffic."
- FreeCallerRegistry is a collaboration between several reputation providers (representing the major wireless carriers) where you can register a business and try to improve your reputation score.
- Jolly Roger Telephone is taking the fight back to the scammers.

In our discussion, Austin Spreadbury (the Microsoft Program Manager responsible for Robocall solutions) and I take a look at the new ATIS specifications covering some options for using STIR/SHAKEN for calls passing over TDM networks. We also discuss how the STIR/SHAKEN roll-out has been going so far, and speculate about what the future holds.

You can read more about the items we discussed at the following links:
- Austin and I previous chatted back in February 2021, and you can watch that video here.
- ATIS 1000095, Extending STIR/SHAKEN over TDM
- ATIS-1000096, SHAKEN Out-of-Band PASSporT Transmission Involving TDM Networks
- ATIS-1000097, Technical Report on Alternatives for Call Authentication for Non-IP Traffic
- My written review of the above specs: here and here
- YouMail Robocall Index (stats on robocall volumes)
- TransNexus stats on calls with STIR/SHAKEN certificates

You can read more about Metaswitch's solutions for robocall blocking and STIR/SHAKEN on their website.

For more information about PRTC and this story, check out the following:
- The Race: TV show
- The One Traffic Light Town with some of the Fastest Internet in the US: New Yorker article
- Wikipedia article about Roberto Clemente