Insights

DNO, DNC, RND: Can You Spot the Difference?

Sep 26, 2023

Unwanted calls are a nuisance for everyone. They can be annoying,  harmful, and even waste operational costs. Luckily, there are several resources available to help enterprises comply and identify proper phone numbers allowed to contact their intended audience. Three of the most effective solutions are:

• A Do Not Originate List (Such as RealNumber™ DNO)
• The Do Not Call Registry (DNC)
• The Reassigned Numbers Database (RND)

While all three of these sound similar (and even have acronyms that share 2/3 of the same letters!), functionally, they each have their own unique qualities and uses. 

Let’s start with a high-level comparison of the three lists:

A DNO list, the DNC and the RND are all valuable databases that can be used to help reduce the number of unwanted calls that people receive. By understanding the differences between these lists, carriers and enterprises can choose which one (or more!) of them are appropriate to their business functions.

That said, let’s take a more in-depth look at what differentiates these lists from each other:

Do Not Originate List

A DNO List is a dataset of phone numbers that should never be used to originate calls or texts. This includes numbers that are used for inbound-only purposes, such as customer service lines and numbers that have been disconnected, are invalid or unallocated.

DNO lists, such as Somos’ RealNumber DNO, can be further used by carriers, service providers, analytics provider, and contact centers (just to name a few) to prevent fraudulent calls from getting on their networks and reaching innocent consumers. DNO lists can also be leveraged by businesses to protect their brand identity and ensure that their numbers are not being used for illegal activities or otherwise fraudulent purposes.

Do Not Call Registry

The DNC is a list of phone numbers that people have specifically requested not to be called by telemarketers. Telemarketers are prohibited from calling numbers on the DNC, with some exceptions, such as political calls and calls from charities.

The DNC is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Consumers can register their numbers on the DNC by visiting the FTC's website or by calling 1-888-382-1222.

Reassigned Numbers Database

The RND is the authoritative database where all telecom carriers and the Toll-Free Administrator are required by law to report permanently disconnected telephone numbers on a monthly basis.  

By querying the RND, those making outbound calls or texts to reach an intended recipient can determine whether a phone number has been reassigned BEFORE placing a call thus providing the caller safe harbor from TCPA liability. 

The RND is managed by Somos on behalf of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To learn more about the RND,and how to research specific telephone numbers so as not to inadvertently call a reassigned number, visit the RND’s website.

Thanks to solutions including DNO lists, such as RealNumber® DNO, the DNC and the RND, it’s becoming more and more difficult for fraudsters to carry-out their nefarious campaigns on our telecommunication channels.

To learn more about how these different solutions, specifically RealNumber DNO and the RND can help increase trust, drive confidence and maintain compliance with FCC initiatives, email connect@somos.com or call or text Somos’ team of fraud fighting experts at 844.HEY.SOMOS.