Reassigned Numbers Database

Announcements

• Reporting guidance published: CGB reiterated that the permanent disconnection reporting rule requires every service provider to file a monthly report even if it does not have permanent disconnections to disclose. (1/25/24)
• Revised interim usage charges approved: The Commission announced its approval of new interim usage pricing that will take effect April 3, 2023. (3/15/23)
• The database reaches over 300 million telephone numbers: As of February 17, 2023, the database contains over 305.9 million geographic and toll-free numbers. (3/14/23)
• RND turns one: On the first anniversary of RND operations, the database contains over 268 million telephone numbers. Callers have queried the database more than 240.7 million times, potentially preventing over 13 million unwanted calls. (11/1/22)
• Revised interim usage charges approved: The Commission announced its approval of new interim usage pricing that will take effect on April 27, 2022. (4/8/22)
• Database Guidance Published: CGB clarified that a caller may be eligible for the safe harbor if its duly authorized agent queries the RND on its behalf. (4/7/22)
• Supplemental Guidelines Published: CGB supplemented the query response definitions for “no” and “no data” to maximize the usefulness of the database. (12/29/21)
• RND Launch Day Webinar – Recording Available: The recording of the Commission’s live launch-day webinar and the powerpoint presentation shown are now available. (11/3/21)
• RND available for use: At 8:00 a.m. EDT on Monday, November 1, 2021, the RND went live. Callers and caller agents can now subscribe to and query the database. (11/1/21)
• RND Launch Day Webinar: On Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, the FCC hosted a webinar at fcc.gov/live to educate callers and caller agents about the RND. Video of the webinar and the slides shown during the event are now available on the event page. (10/25/21)
• The database reaches over 150 million telephone numbers: As of October 17, the database contains over 152 million geographic and toll-free numbers. (10/18/21)
• Small providers required to report permanently disconnected numbers: On October 15, small providers began reporting permanently disconnected numbers to the administrator. Now all providers are required to report disconnected numbers to the administrator each month. (10/16/21)
• Interim usage charges for the RND announced: On October 1, 2021, following completion of a successful beta test, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau announced the initial interim usage charges for subscriptions to the RND. The RND will offer six subscription tiers: Extra Small, Small, Medium, Large, Extra Large, and Jumbo. Those wishing to use the RND may sign up for a one-month subscription, a three-month subscription, or a six-month subscription. The RND Administrator expects to offer an annual subscription option in the future, as well. (10/2/21)
• Database registration now available: Callers and caller agents can register as users of the database. Go to www.reassigned.us to register to use the database. Paid subscriptions will be available beginning November 1. (10/1/21)
• Database to go live November 1, 2021: The database will be operational for paid subscribers (callers and caller agents) beginning in November 2021. (10/1/21)
• RND Beta Test concludes: The database administrator concluded a Beta Test for the RND on September 30, 2021. The test enabled participating callers and caller agents to understand their usage needs prior to signing up for a paid subscription and to test the system and provide feedback to the administrator. Callers that participated in the beta test may qualify for a safe harbor from TCPA liability as provided in the Commission's rules. (10/1/21)
• The database administrator conducted a training webinar on June 21, 2021 for callers/caller agents interested in participating in the beta test. The webinar can be accessed at https://www.reassigned.us/resources/videos/webinar-callerscaller-agents-reassigned-numbers-database-rnd. (6/22/21)
• Over 100 million numbers in the database: Voice service providers began identifying permanently disconnected numbers on April 15, 2020. Currently, the database contains over 102 million geographic and toll-free numbers. That number will continue to grow as large and medium sized carriers report disconnections each month. In addition, small service providers will begin reporting disconnected numbers by October 15, 2021 (and every month thereafter). (5/17/21)

For Consumers

To reduce unwanted and intrusive calls intended for a phone number's previous owner, the Commission now requires service providers to regularly report permanent number disconnections and to wait a minimum of 45 days before reassigning a disconnected number to a new user.

Callers may check the database before making a call. Callers may be liable for violating the TCPA if:

• they call a reassigned number without checking the database; or
• they check the database, and then knowingly call a reassigned number without consent.

If you receive an unwanted call intended for the prior owner of your number, you can:

• File a complaint with the FCC
• File a complaint with the FTC
• Pursue a private right of action under the TCPA

For Service Providers

• Record-keeping requirement: As of July 27, 2020, service providers are required to maintain records of the most recent date that each phone number assigned to one of their subscribers was permanently disconnected. Small business service providers (those providers with 100,000 or fewer domestic retail subscribers) had until January 27, 2021, to comply with the record maintenance rule.
• Aging requirement: As of July 27, 2020, all service providers are required to age telephone numbers for at least 45 days after permanent disconnection prior to reassignment.
• Reporting requirement: On the 15^th of every month, all service providers must report permanent disconnections of their subscribers' telephone numbers to the Reassigned Numbers Database Administrator (RNDA). 
  • Providers are required to submit disconnected number data to the RNDA in accordance with prescribed technical specifications.
  • If a provider does not have new permanent disconnections to report for a monthly period, that information must be submitted to the administrator.

For Callers and Other Database Users

The database became operational for paid subscribers (callers and caller agents) on November 1, 2021. Subscriptions are available for purchase and callers can check to see if a telephone number is still assigned to the consumer they are trying to reach. Doing so may reduce their calls to consumers who have reassigned numbers and who may not wish to receive such calls.

RND Launch Day Webinar: On Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, the FCC hosted a webinar providing information for callers and caller agents to register for and subscribe to the database. It also included a demonstration of how to query the database. A recording of the webinar and the powerpoint presentation shown during the event are now available.

How to query the database: A caller enters a phone number they wish to call, and either the date the caller obtained consent from the consumer or the last date the caller was able to verify that the consumer was at that telephone number. Callers may query individual numbers (up to 50) or groups of numbers (up to 250,000).

Query responses: The database will return one of three responses: "Yes," "No," or "No Data."

• Yes — indicates the number has been disconnected, and possibly reassigned, after the date provided, and the caller should not call the number unless they have separate consent from the current holder of the number.
• No — indicates the number has not been disconnected or reassigned and the caller can place the call provided they have obtained consent from the consumer, if consent is required under the TCPA.
• No Data — indicates the queried number is not contained in the database and the date provided in the query is before the date all providers were required to maintain records of disconnected numbers.

You can learn more about these query results and review other database guidelines.

Safe Harbor: To be shielded from liability under the TCPA, a caller must prove that: (1) it obtained consent from the intended call recipient; (2) it or its duly authorized agent checked the database prior to calling the number to verify that the number had not been permanently disconnected, or reassigned, after the date the caller obtained consent; and (3) the database returned a query response of "no" that was incorrect.

Fees for use: Users of the database are required to subscribe and pay a fee. On October 1, 2021, following completion of a successful beta test, the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau announced the initial interim usage charges for subscriptions to the RND. On March 14, 2023, the database administrator announced modified interim pricing to be effective April 3, 2023. The RND offers ten subscription tiers and additional discounts available to Caller Agents. Those wishing to use the RND may sign up for a one-month, a three-month, a six-month, or an annual subscription.

Database registration and subscriptions now available: Callers and caller agents can register for and subscribe to the database. Go to www.reassigned.us to register to use the database.

FAQs and Additional Information

The database administrator has provided a list of FAQs at www.reassigned.us.

Creation of the Reassigned Numbers Database:

The Commission released the Reassigned Numbers Database Order on December 13, 2018. The Order established the creation of a database that will allow callers to determine whether a telephone number has been permanently disconnected, or reassigned, and therefore is no longer assigned to the party that the caller intends to reach.

The Commission selected SomosGov Inc. as the RNDA, or database administrator, under a five-year contract.