STIR/SHAKEN in 2026: what carriers actually have to do
Attestation levels, robocall mitigation databases, and the practical checklist for staying off the FCC's bad list.
STIR/SHAKEN started as a clever cryptographic answer to caller ID spoofing. By 2026 it's a compliance regime — one with enough nuance that even seasoned carriers get the attestation levels wrong.
Attestation, in plain English
- A-level: you authenticated the caller AND verified they own the number. Highest trust.
- B-level: you authenticated the caller but can't verify number ownership.
- C-level: the call entered your network from somewhere else and you're just passing it through.
The Robocall Mitigation Database is not optional
Every voice service provider operating in the US must file an RMD certification. Miss the renewal window and downstream carriers are required to refuse your traffic.
The fastest way to lose interconnects in 2026 isn't a bad ASR — it's an expired RMD entry.
What we do on your behalf
- A-level signing for numbers you've assigned through us.
- Pass-through verification with full Identity headers preserved.
- Automated RMD renewal reminders 60/30/7 days out.
The takeaway
Compliance is now a product feature. If your provider treats it as paperwork, you'll feel it the first time a Tier-1 starts dropping your calls without warning.
Written by
All Access Carrier Team
Network & Operations · All Access Telecom
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