Compliance Automation for Telecom

Why Automate Telecom Compliance?

The telecom regulatory landscape has become increasingly complex, with requirements from the FCC, FTC, state regulators, and industry bodies creating a web of obligations that organizations must navigate. Manual compliance processes struggle with:

• Scale — High-volume calling operations can't manually check each number
• Speed — Real-time requirements (like 24-hour traceback response) demand automation
• Consistency — Human processes introduce variability and error
• Documentation — Maintaining audit trails manually is labor-intensive
• Cost — Manual compliance doesn't scale economically

Benefits of Automation

Manual Process	Automated Process	Improvement
Batch DNC scrubbing before campaigns	Real-time DNC check per call	Catches last-minute DNC registrations
Periodic number verification	Continuous activation date monitoring	Immediate reassignment detection
Manual traceback response	API-driven traceback lookup	24-hour response SLA consistently met
Spreadsheet-based documentation	Automated audit logging	Complete, consistent audit trails

Core Compliance Automation Capabilities

Phone Number Intelligence

The foundation of compliance automation is comprehensive phone intelligence:

• LRN Lookup — Location Routing Number and activation date
• Carrier Identification — Current serving carrier and OCN
• Line Type Detection — Wireless, landline, or VoIP classification
• CNAM Lookup — Caller name information
• Geographic Data — Rate center and state information

Traceback Search

Automated traceback capabilities enable rapid investigation:

• Originating carrier lookup — Identify call sources instantly
• Call path analysis — Understand routing through the network
• Bulk investigation — Analyze patterns across many numbers
• Historical queries — Research number history

Spam and Reputation Data

Real-time reputation assessment:

• Spam score lookup — Check numbers against complaint databases
• Reputation monitoring — Track how analytics providers view your numbers
• Complaint correlation — Link calls to consumer feedback

TCPA Compliance Automation

Real-Time Consent Validation

Automate consent checking before every call or text:

# Real-time TCPA compliance check
def check_tcpa_compliance(phone_number, consent_record, call_type='marketing'):
    result = {
        'phone_number': phone_number,
        'compliant': True,
        'checks': [],
        'blocks': []
    }

    # Check 1: Verify consent exists and is valid
    consent_check = validate_consent(consent_record, call_type)
    result['checks'].append(consent_check)
    if not consent_check['valid']:
        result['compliant'] = False
        result['blocks'].append('Missing or invalid consent')

    # Check 2: Check for number reassignment
    lrn_data = lrn_api.lookup(phone_number)
    activation_date = lrn_data.get('lrn_activation_date')
    if activation_date and activation_date > consent_record.get('consent_date'):
        result['compliant'] = False
        result['blocks'].append('Possible number reassignment after consent')
        result['checks'].append({
            'type': 'reassignment_check',
            'activation_date': activation_date,
            'consent_date': consent_record.get('consent_date'),
            'result': 'FAIL'
        })

    # Check 3: DNC list verification
    dnc_status = check_dnc_lists(phone_number)
    result['checks'].append(dnc_status)
    if dnc_status['on_dnc'] and not consent_record.get('ebr_active'):
        result['compliant'] = False
        result['blocks'].append(f"On DNC list: {dnc_status['list']}")

    # Check 4: Revocation status
    if check_revocation(phone_number, consent_record['account_id']):
        result['compliant'] = False
        result['blocks'].append('Consent previously revoked')

    return result

Reassigned Number Detection

Automated reassignment detection using LRN activation dates:

# Batch reassignment check
def check_reassignment_batch(contact_list):
    results = []
    phone_numbers = [c['phone'] for c in contact_list]

    # Bulk lookup for efficiency
    lrn_results = lrn_api.bulk_lookup(phone_numbers)

    for contact in contact_list:
        lrn_data = lrn_results.get(contact['phone'], {})
        activation_date = lrn_data.get('lrn_activation_date')
        consent_date = contact.get('consent_date')

        status = 'SAFE'
        if activation_date and consent_date:
            if parse_date(activation_date) > parse_date(consent_date):
                status = 'REASSIGNMENT_RISK'

        results.append({
            'phone': contact['phone'],
            'account_id': contact['account_id'],
            'status': status,
            'activation_date': activation_date,
            'consent_date': consent_date
        })

    # Flag high-risk numbers for review
    flagged = [r for r in results if r['status'] == 'REASSIGNMENT_RISK']
    if flagged:
        alert_compliance_team(flagged)

    return results

Automated DNC Management

Integrate DNC checking and updates into your calling workflow:

• Real-time federal DNC registry checks
• State DNC list integration
• Automatic opt-out processing
• Company DNC list synchronization

STIR/SHAKEN Automation

Attestation Monitoring

Automatically monitor your call attestation levels:

# Automated attestation monitoring
def monitor_attestation():
    # Sample recent outbound calls
    recent_calls = get_recent_calls(hours=24, sample_size=1000)

    attestation_stats = {
        'A': 0,  # Full Attestation
        'B': 0,  # Partial Attestation
        'C': 0,  # Gateway Attestation
        'none': 0  # No attestation
    }

    for call in recent_calls:
        attestation = call.get('attestation_level', 'none')
        attestation_stats[attestation] += 1

    # Calculate percentages
    total = sum(attestation_stats.values())
    full_attestation_rate = (attestation_stats['A'] / total) * 100

    # Alert if Full Attestation drops below threshold
    if full_attestation_rate < 90:
        send_alert(
            type='attestation_degradation',
            message=f'Full Attestation rate dropped to {full_attestation_rate:.1f}%',
            stats=attestation_stats
        )

    # Log for trending
    log_attestation_metrics(attestation_stats)

    return attestation_stats

Number Verification Automation

Automate the verification process for new numbers:

• Validate number assignments before use
• Check carrier records match your documentation
• Alert when verification status changes
• Track verification expiration and renewals

Traceback Response Automation

Automated Traceback Response

Meet 24-hour response requirements with automation:

# Automated traceback response system
class TracebackResponseSystem:
    def __init__(self, cdr_database, api_client):
        self.cdr_db = cdr_database
        self.api = api_client

    def process_traceback_request(self, request):
        """Process incoming traceback request and prepare response"""
        response = {
            'request_id': request['id'],
            'received_at': datetime.utcnow().isoformat(),
            'status': 'processing'
        }

        try:
            # Search CDR database for matching call
            matching_calls = self.cdr_db.search(
                called_number=request.get('called_number'),
                calling_number=request.get('calling_number'),
                date_range=request.get('date_range')
            )

            if matching_calls:
                # Found matching call records
                response['matches'] = len(matching_calls)
                response['upstream_provider'] = self.identify_upstream(matching_calls[0])
                response['customer_info'] = self.get_customer_info(matching_calls[0])
                response['call_details'] = self.format_cdr(matching_calls[0])
                response['status'] = 'found'
            else:
                # No matching calls found
                response['matches'] = 0
                response['status'] = 'not_found'
                response['notes'] = 'No matching calls in CDR database for specified parameters'

            # Log the response for audit
            self.log_traceback_response(request, response)

            # Alert compliance team
            self.notify_compliance(request, response)

        except Exception as e:
            response['status'] = 'error'
            response['error'] = str(e)
            self.escalate_to_human(request, e)

        response['responded_at'] = datetime.utcnow().isoformat()
        return response

    def identify_upstream(self, call_record):
        """Identify the upstream provider from call record"""
        trunk_id = call_record.get('ingress_trunk')
        return self.trunk_provider_map.get(trunk_id)

    def get_customer_info(self, call_record):
        """Get customer information for originating calls"""
        if call_record.get('direction') == 'outbound':
            return self.customer_db.get(call_record['customer_id'])
        return None

Proactive Traffic Monitoring

Automate detection of suspicious traffic before traceback requests arrive:

# Proactive traffic monitoring
def monitor_traffic_patterns():
    """Run hourly to detect suspicious patterns"""
    alerts = []

    # Check for high-volume calling from individual customers
    high_volume = get_customers_exceeding_threshold(
        calls_per_hour=threshold_config['calls_per_hour']
    )
    for customer in high_volume:
        alerts.append({
            'type': 'high_volume',
            'customer': customer['id'],
            'calls_per_hour': customer['call_count']
        })

    # Check for low answer rate patterns
    low_answer = get_customers_below_threshold(
        answer_rate=threshold_config['min_answer_rate']
    )
    for customer in low_answer:
        alerts.append({
            'type': 'low_answer_rate',
            'customer': customer['id'],
            'answer_rate': customer['answer_rate']
        })

    # Check for numbers with recent spam complaints
    complaint_numbers = get_numbers_with_complaints(hours=24)
    for number in complaint_numbers:
        lookup = traceback_api.lookup(number)
        alerts.append({
            'type': 'spam_complaints',
            'number': number,
            'carrier': lookup.get('carrier'),
            'complaint_count': number['complaints']
        })

    # Process alerts
    for alert in alerts:
        process_compliance_alert(alert)

    return alerts

RMD Compliance Automation

Provider Verification

Automate verification of upstream provider RMD status:

# Automated RMD verification
def verify_provider_rmd_status(provider_list):
    """Check RMD status for all providers daily"""
    results = []

    for provider in provider_list:
        rmd_status = rmd_api.check_status(
            provider_name=provider['name'],
            ocn=provider.get('ocn')
        )

        result = {
            'provider': provider['name'],
            'ocn': provider.get('ocn'),
            'is_filed': rmd_status.get('is_filed', False),
            'filing_date': rmd_status.get('filing_date'),
            'expiration_date': rmd_status.get('expiration_date'),
            'stir_shaken_status': rmd_status.get('stir_shaken_status'),
            'action_required': None
        }

        # Determine required actions
        if not result['is_filed']:
            result['action_required'] = 'BLOCK_TRAFFIC'
            block_provider_traffic(provider)
            alert_compliance('Provider removed from RMD', provider)
        elif result['expiration_date']:
            days_until_expiration = (
                parse_date(result['expiration_date']) - datetime.now()
            ).days
            if days_until_expiration < 30:
                result['action_required'] = 'EXPIRATION_WARNING'
                alert_compliance('Provider RMD expiring soon', provider)

        results.append(result)

    return results

Filing Reminder System

Automate reminders for your own RMD filing:

• Calendar integration for annual renewal
• Automated alerts before expiration
• Tracking of material changes requiring updates
• Documentation of filing history

State Regulation Automation

Geographic Routing Rules

Apply state-specific rules automatically:

# State-specific compliance rules engine
def apply_state_rules(phone_number, call_type):
    """Apply state-specific calling rules"""
    # Get state from LRN data
    lrn_data = lrn_api.lookup(phone_number)
    state = lrn_data.get('rate_center', {}).get('state')

    rules = get_state_rules(state)

    result = {
        'phone_number': phone_number,
        'state': state,
        'rules_applied': []
    }

    # Check calling hours
    if not is_within_calling_hours(state, rules['calling_hours']):
        result['blocked'] = True
        result['reason'] = f'Outside calling hours for {state}'
        result['rules_applied'].append('calling_hours')
        return result

    # Check state DNC
    if rules.get('state_dnc_required'):
        dnc_status = check_state_dnc(phone_number, state)
        if dnc_status['on_list']:
            result['blocked'] = True
            result['reason'] = f'On {state} state DNC list'
            result['rules_applied'].append('state_dnc')
            return result

    # Apply ATDS restrictions
    if rules.get('atds_restrictions'):
        # State may have broader ATDS definition
        result['atds_definition'] = rules['atds_definition']
        result['rules_applied'].append('atds_restrictions')

    result['blocked'] = False
    return result

# State rules configuration
STATE_RULES = {
    'FL': {
        'calling_hours': {'start': '08:00', 'end': '21:00'},
        'state_dnc_required': True,
        'atds_definition': 'broad',  # Florida FTSA
        'opt_out_processing': 24  # hours
    },
    'CA': {
        'calling_hours': {'start': '08:00', 'end': '21:00'},
        'state_dnc_required': False,
        'atds_definition': 'broad',
        'recording_consent': 'all_party'
    },
    'TX': {
        'calling_hours': {'start': '12:00', 'end': '21:00'},  # More restrictive
        'state_dnc_required': True,
        'atds_definition': 'standard'
    }
    # ... additional states
}

Reporting and Analytics

Compliance Dashboard

Build automated compliance reporting:

• Real-time metrics — Attestation rates, block rates, complaint rates
• Trend analysis — Historical compliance performance
• Alert summary — Outstanding issues requiring attention
• Audit readiness — Documentation status

Automated Audit Reports

# Generate compliance audit report
def generate_compliance_report(period='monthly'):
    report = {
        'period': period,
        'generated_at': datetime.utcnow().isoformat(),
        'sections': {}
    }

    # TCPA Compliance Section
    report['sections']['tcpa'] = {
        'total_calls': get_call_count(period),
        'consent_verification_rate': calculate_consent_check_rate(period),
        'dnc_scrub_compliance': calculate_dnc_compliance(period),
        'reassignment_checks': get_reassignment_check_stats(period),
        'revocation_processing_time': calculate_avg_revocation_time(period),
        'violations_detected': get_violation_count(period)
    }

    # STIR/SHAKEN Section
    report['sections']['stir_shaken'] = {
        'full_attestation_rate': calculate_attestation_rate('A', period),
        'partial_attestation_rate': calculate_attestation_rate('B', period),
        'gateway_attestation_rate': calculate_attestation_rate('C', period),
        'unsigned_rate': calculate_attestation_rate('none', period),
        'attestation_trend': get_attestation_trend(period)
    }

    # Traceback Section
    report['sections']['traceback'] = {
        'requests_received': get_traceback_request_count(period),
        'avg_response_time_hours': calculate_avg_response_time(period),
        'sla_compliance_rate': calculate_24hr_compliance(period),
        'proactive_investigations': get_proactive_investigation_count(period)
    }

    # RMD Compliance Section
    report['sections']['rmd'] = {
        'filing_status': 'current',
        'last_update': get_last_rmd_update(),
        'next_renewal': calculate_next_renewal(),
        'provider_verifications': get_provider_verification_stats(period)
    }

    return report

Integration Patterns

Dialer Integration

Integrate compliance checks directly into dialer workflows:

• Pre-dial compliance validation
• Real-time blocking of non-compliant calls
• Attestation status feedback
• Automatic logging of compliance decisions

CRM Integration

Connect phone intelligence to customer records:

• Automatic phone number validation on entry
• Reassignment alerts attached to customer records
• Consent tracking within CRM
• Compliance status visible to agents

Webhook-Based Alerting

# Webhook configuration for compliance events
COMPLIANCE_WEBHOOKS = {
    'attestation_drop': {
        'url': 'https://yourcompany.com/webhooks/compliance',
        'events': ['attestation_below_threshold'],
        'threshold': 90
    },
    'traceback_request': {
        'url': 'https://yourcompany.com/webhooks/traceback',
        'events': ['new_traceback_request'],
        'urgency': 'high'
    },
    'provider_rmd_change': {
        'url': 'https://yourcompany.com/webhooks/providers',
        'events': ['rmd_status_change', 'rmd_expiration_warning']
    },
    'spam_complaints': {
        'url': 'https://yourcompany.com/webhooks/reputation',
        'events': ['spam_complaints_threshold'],
        'threshold': 5  # complaints per number per day
    }
}

Automation Best Practices

1. Fail safe — Block calls when compliance status is uncertain
2. Log everything — Comprehensive audit trails for all decisions
3. Alert appropriately — Escalate to humans for critical issues
4. Test regularly — Verify automation is working correctly
5. Update rules — Keep pace with regulatory changes
6. Monitor performance — Ensure API latency doesn't impact operations
7. Plan for failures — Have fallback procedures for API outages
8. Document architecture — Maintain clear system documentation

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I handle API failures in real-time compliance checks?

Implement a fail-safe approach: if a real-time compliance check fails due to API issues, block the call and queue it for retry. It's better to delay a compliant call than to complete a non-compliant one. Maintain local caches of frequently-checked data as backup, but ensure caches are refreshed regularly. Log all failures for review and have monitoring in place to detect API degradation quickly.

What's the latency impact of real-time compliance checks?

Well-designed APIs typically respond in 50-200 milliseconds. For high-volume calling operations, use bulk lookup APIs to pre-validate lists before campaigns. Real-time single-number lookups are best reserved for inbound calls or confirmation of pre-validated numbers. Many organizations use a hybrid approach: bulk validation before campaigns plus real-time checks for last-minute changes.

How often should I refresh phone intelligence data?

Refresh frequency depends on the data type and your risk tolerance. LRN activation dates should be checked at least weekly for active contact lists, or in real-time before calling numbers that haven't been contacted recently. Carrier information changes less frequently but should be refreshed monthly. Spam reputation data changes quickly and should be checked within 24-48 hours of calling.

Can automation fully replace human compliance oversight?

No, automation should augment rather than replace human oversight. Automated systems handle routine checks at scale, but humans are needed for: interpreting ambiguous situations, handling escalations, updating rules for regulatory changes, investigating complex patterns, making policy decisions, and maintaining relationships with regulators. Think of automation as handling the 95% of routine cases so humans can focus on the 5% that require judgment.

What compliance metrics should I track and report?

Key metrics include: STIR/SHAKEN attestation rates (target 95%+ Full Attestation), DNC scrub compliance rate (should be 100%), reassignment detection rate, traceback response time (must be under 24 hours), consent verification rate, revocation processing time, and spam complaint rate per number. Also track system health metrics like API success rates and latency. Regular reporting helps identify trends and demonstrate compliance to regulators.