STIR/SHAKEN and Call Trust
Call spoofing and robocalls have eroded trust in phone communications. Industry-wide standards and carrier initiatives are working to restore that trust. Never Busy supports call trust features that help verify caller identity, display branded information, and improve the likelihood that legitimate business calls get answered.
Understanding STIR/SHAKEN
STIR/SHAKEN is a set of technical standards mandated by the FCC to combat caller ID spoofing. When you make an outbound call, your carrier cryptographically signs the call with an attestation level indicating how confident they are about your identity.
Full Attestation (A)
The carrier has verified both the caller's identity and their authorization to use the calling number. This is the highest level of trust.
Partial Attestation (B)
The carrier has verified the caller's identity but cannot confirm they're authorized to use the specific number.
Gateway Attestation (C)
The call originated from a gateway or interconnect where verification is limited. This is common for international calls.
Branded Calling ID (BCID)
Beyond verification, Branded Calling ID allows businesses to display their name, logo, and call reason on the recipient's phone screen. This visual identification helps recipients recognize legitimate calls from businesses they do business with.
What displays
- • Business name
- • Company logo
- • Call reason (optional)
- • Verified badge
Requirements
- • Business verification
- • Number ownership proof
- • Carrier enrollment
- • Compatible recipient device
Note: BCID display depends on recipient carrier and device support. Coverage is growing but not universal.
Robocall Mitigation
Beyond caller ID verification, carriers and businesses use additional techniques to reduce robocall impact:
Analytics-based blocking
Carriers analyze call patterns to identify and block likely robocalls before they reach recipients.
Reputation databases
Phone numbers build reputation over time. Numbers with good calling patterns are less likely to be blocked or flagged.
Label and warn
Instead of blocking, some systems label suspected spam calls so recipients can decide whether to answer.
How Call Trust Helps Answer Rates
Recipients are increasingly wary of unknown calls. Call trust features address this by:
- Reducing false positives: Verified calls are less likely to be incorrectly flagged as spam.
- Building recognition: Branded display helps recipients recognize calls from businesses they know.
- Providing context: Call reason display helps recipients understand why you're calling before they answer.
- Maintaining number health: Proper calling practices and registration keep your numbers in good standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is STIR/SHAKEN?
STIR/SHAKEN is a framework of standards that allows phone carriers to verify that a caller ID hasn't been spoofed. STIR (Secure Telephone Identity Revisited) handles the verification, while SHAKEN (Signature-based Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) implements it across carrier networks.
What are attestation levels?
Attestation levels indicate how confident the carrier is about the caller's identity. 'A' (Full) means the carrier verified the caller and their right to use the number. 'B' (Partial) means the carrier verified the caller but not the number ownership. 'C' (Gateway) means the call originated from a gateway with limited verification.
Does STIR/SHAKEN eliminate robocalls?
Not directly. STIR/SHAKEN verifies caller identity but doesn't block calls. However, it enables carriers and call recipients to make better decisions about which calls to answer or block based on attestation.
What is Branded Calling ID?
Branded Calling ID (BCID) displays your business name and logo on the recipient's phone screen before they answer. This helps legitimate businesses stand out and improves answer rates.
How do these features affect answer rates?
Calls with verified caller ID and branded display typically see higher answer rates. Recipients are more likely to answer when they can identify the caller as a legitimate business.