Insights

Webinar Recap: Protecting the Integrity of Phone Numbers: How Resp Orgs Can Lead the Way

May 19, 2025

As fraud continues to impact how consumers engage with voice calls, the need for trusted communications has never been more urgent. In our recent webinar hosted by Somos’ Jaime Zetterstrom, VP, Product Management and Susan Tamida, Senior Product Manager, we introduced a new way for Responsible Organizations (Resp Orgs) to play a more active role in securing calls and restoring trust – through the delegation of Right-to-Use (RTU) at the telephone number level using Resp Org Certificates.

RTU is a key concept: Resp Orgs can cryptographically prove that their customers are authorized to use specific numbers in the calling ecosystem. That visibility and validation have been missing in the current STIR/SHAKEN framework, which focuses on the network-level exchange between originating and terminating providers but overlooks the source of number ownership. This authentication gap leaves Resp Orgs out of the trusted calling equation and allows bad actors to misuse numbers without proper oversight.

With Somos acting as a Certificate Authority, Resp Orgs can now obtain Resp Org Certificates and establish RTU for their numbers. That certificate becomes part of the call flow, enabling trusted call authentication at the source. By formally inserting Resp Orgs into the authentication chain, we’re closing the gap – connecting the number’s origin with its verified use in real time. This strengthens fraud prevention and opens the door to improved answer rates, increased control and new business opportunities.

Ready to get started? Somos is looking to partner with Resp Orgs, offering hands-on support to help you through the process:

1. Onboard with Resp Org Certificates to enable the capability to assert Right-to-Use. Click here to start onboarding.

2. Become an authorized provider with the Secure Telephone Identity Policy Administrator (STI-PA) to engage in calls within the SHAKEN framework. If you're already registered with STI-PA, Somos will work with you to determine next steps.

3. Check with your legal team to determine whether to file in the Robocall Mitigation Database (RMD). If you have an RMD ID and FCC Registration Number (FRN), please provide them as part of your onboarding process.

Resp Orgs are the authoritative source for Toll-Free Numbers. With RTU and Resp Org Certificates, you now have the tools to secure that position, protect your numbers and lead the next phase of trusted voice communications.

For those who were not able to attend the webinar, you can now catch up by accessing the on-demand recording for viewing anytime!