The FCC has issued guidance under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), clarifying standards for automated SMS transmission, user reporting channels and the national Do‑Not‑Call Registry. Balancing enterprise compliance and consumer protection, it serves as a key reference document for US A2P SMS and automated voice services.
For automated SMS, the FCC defines strict permission tiers: sending marketing SMS to mobile numbers via an autodialer requires advance written user consent. Non‑commercial informational alerts and reminders may be sent based on oral consent. Emergency messages concerning life‑or‑property safety are exempt from these authorization prerequisites. These transmission rules remain valid even if a number is listed on the Do‑Not‑Call Registry.
Ordinary consumers receiving spam SMS may forward suspicious messages to short code 7726 (SPAM) to submit reports. Carriers assist regulators in identifying and blocking spam traffic; users may consult their carrier for operational details.
The national Do‑Not‑Call Registry offers anti‑harassment tools for the public. Users may register landline or mobile numbers free of charge via donotcall.gov or by calling 1‑888‑382‑1222 (TTY: 1‑866‑290‑4236). Verification requires calling from the number being registered. Telemarketers face mandatory restrictions for landline marketing calls: they must disclose caller identity, company and contact address during calls; calling hours are restricted between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.; they must cease contact immediately upon receiving a user opt‑out request.
Beyond registry enrolment, members of the public may submit complaints to the FCC and FTC upon receiving unlawful robocalls or spam SMS, enabling regulators to launch TCPA enforcement actions based on complaint evidence. Meanwhile, the FCC encourages carriers to implement caller‑ID authentication and illegal‑call blocking technologies to suppress spoofing fraud and nuisance traffic at network origin.
