Least Cost Routing: Addressing Missing, Dropped, or Poor-Quality Calls
Questions & Answers: How Least Cost Routing (LCR) Affects Rural Phone Service and How You Can Help
THE ISSUE
If you’ve encountered issues like the following, you may have experienced the Rural Call Completion Problem caused by Least Cost Routing (LCR):
– Someone tells you they tried to call you but your phone never rang.
– Someone tells you they tried to call you, the phone rang on their end but not yours.
– Someone tells you they called you and left a voicemail, but your phone didn’t ring, you don’t have voicemail, or you have a custom greeting.
– You received a call with poor quality or incorrect Caller ID.
– The calling party’s landline number won’t connect to your landline but they can connect with their mobile number.
THE PROBLEM
The Rural Call Completion Problem stems from the practices of long-distance carriers or wireless providers, not your local telephone company. These carriers often use Least Cost Routing (LCR), a method of minimizing costs by passing calls through various carriers to reach the destination. However, this can result in calls being dropped, delivered with poor quality, or never reaching their destination, particularly in rural areas where servicing is more expensive. Click Download to view the call completion problems diagram.
RURAL CALL COMPLETION PROBLEM
Think of it like a car avoiding toll roads, taking backcountry routes across America. Similarly, calls may take inefficient paths, leading to poor quality or failed connections. This nationwide issue impacts rural communities, businesses, public safety, and customer relationships.
OUR EFFORTS
Windomnet is actively addressing the Rural Call Completion Problem and LCR. We’re collaborating with long-distance carriers, wireless providers, regulatory bodies, and legislators to prompt action from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC has established a task force to investigate and address these issues, and we advocate for swift action against providers contributing to the problem.
HELP US FIGHT
We’re hopeful that the FCC will act promptly, but we need your assistance. Here’s how you can help:
1. Ask callers for their long-distance carrier or wireless provider and file an informal complaint with the FCC against them.
2. File a complaint with your state legislators in Washington DC.
3. Encourage callers experiencing issues to file complaints with the FCC and state legislators.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
If you’re experiencing inbound long-distance call issues:
– The caller needs to contact their long-distance provider and report the issue.
– Contact Windomnet with details.
– Encourage callers to file complaints.
– Provide caller information to facilitate resolution.
RESPONSIBILITY
The caller’s long-distance carrier or wireless provider is responsible for resolving the Rural Call Completion Problem. Misplaced blame on rural telephone providers hinders resolution efforts.
ACTION TAKEN
While progress has been slow, the FCC recently levied fines on carriers failing to meet call completion benchmarks. Legislative support and pressure on the FCC are crucial for meaningful resolution.