If you’ve recently signed up for business phone service—or are planning to—you may have noticed new questions, documentation requests, or even delays during onboarding. This isn’t your provider being difficult—it’s the result of stricter regulations from the Federal Communications Commission aimed at stopping robocalls and caller ID spoofing.

At the center of these changes are two key initiatives: Know Your Customer (KYC) and STIR/SHAKEN.

Let’s break down what this means in real-world terms.

STIR/SHAKEN is a framework that ensures caller ID information is accurate and trustworthy. It allows carriers to “sign” calls digitally, verifying that the caller is legitimately authorized to use a phone number.

For businesses, this directly impacts:

• Whether your calls are marked as “Spam Risk”
• Whether your calls are blocked or labeled
• Your overall call answer rates

KYC (Know Your Customer) is the process providers must follow to verify who you are—and whether you’re a legitimate caller.

Think of it like opening a bank account. Carriers now need to:

• Confirm your business identity
• Understand your calling behavior
• Validate your right to use phone numbers

Without proper KYC, carriers may:

• Limit your outbound calling
• Assign lower STIR/SHAKEN attestation levels
• Flag your calls as suspicious

The FCC’s goal is simple: restore trust in voice communications.

Illegal robocalls have eroded confidence in phone calls. By requiring telecom providers to verify customers and authenticate calls, the FCC is:

• Reducing fraud and spoofing
• Increasing answer rates for legitimate businesses
• Holding carriers accountable for traffic on their networks

When signing up for new voice or SIP trunking services, you should expect to provide:

1. Business Identity Verification

• Legal business name
• EIN or Tax ID
• Business registration documentation

2. End-User Information

• Who will be using the service?
• Are you reselling services or using them internally?

3. Calling Use Case

• Outbound calling purpose (sales, support, notifications, etc.)
• Expected call volume and patterns

4. Number Ownership

• Proof you own or are authorized to use your phone numbers

Skipping or rushing through KYC can create real problems:

• Calls may show up as “Spam Likely”
• Lower call completion rates
• Service delays or restrictions
• Possible suspension in extreme cases

In short: bad KYC = bad call reputation

Even individual users may notice:

• Identity verification during signup
• Restrictions on high-volume outbound calling
• Improved trust in incoming calls

The upside? Fewer spam calls and more confidence when answering the phone.

If you want smooth onboarding and strong call performance:

• Be accurate and transparent with your information
• Clearly define your calling use case
• Avoid sudden spikes in call volume
• Monitor your numbers for spam labeling
• Work with a provider who actively manages compliance

KYC and STIR/SHAKEN aren’t just regulatory hurdles—they’re becoming critical to your business communications strategy.

Companies that take this seriously will see:

• Higher answer rates
• Better customer trust
• Fewer disruptions

And honestly, in today’s environment, that’s a competitive advantage.

For over 45 years, ACC Telecom has specialized in designing and implementing advanced communication systems for businesses while adhering to compliancy rules and regulations. ACC Telecom is compliant with STIR/SHAKEN requirements and is certified in the Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD) and is STI-PA certified for call signing. By delivering compliant and comprehensive voice calling services & company phone systems– together we’ll build a future of communications for your business.