Overview
Starting October 1, 2024, the French government is enforcing the final phase of their STIR/SHAKEN authentication framework, known locally as the MAN Program (Mécanisme d'Authentification des Numéros). All voice calls traversing French networks must now have proper authentication. Calls that lack this authentication, or fail verification, will be disconnected by carriers.
FAQ
What is STIR/SHAKEN?
STIR stands for Secure Telephony Identity Revisited.
SHAKEN stands for Secure Handling of Asserted information using toKENs.
STIR/SHAKEN is a way to authenticate the originating telephone number for a phone call so that the voice service provider receiving the call knows that the displayed originating telephone number is accurate, using identity signatures.
Why is the MAN Program now required?
The French government is requiring telecommunications providers to address robocalling, scam calls, and unwanted telemarketing calls. One tactic used by these callers is to spoof the originating telephone number to make the call appear that it is from a number that the call recipient is more likely to answer (e.g. make it look like the call is from the recipient’s local area). MAN (STIR/SHAKEN) identity signatures will allow the voice provider receiving a call to know where an incoming call originated on the French network and the intended originating display number.
When will MAN be implemented?
The MAN Program required STIR/SHAKEN signatures to be added in June 2024. The final implementation phase of the MAN program, which requires the phasing in of call rejection for calls with bad signatures, started on October 1, 2024, and will be completed by October 31, 2024.
What is 8x8 doing about MAN and STIR/SHAKEN?
8x8 has already implemented STIR/SHAKEN to comply with U.S. and Canadian regulations. However, French MAN policy is stricter and requires further technical adjustments to be gradually rolled out:
- Sign All Outbound Calls
- Implement Reporting Mechanisms
- Reject Inbound Calls with Bad Signatures
Over the month of October 2024 the final implementation phase requires the gradual rejection of calls with bad signatures.
How will MAN affect my calls?
The new MAN policy may cause the following:
- Potential Call Disruptions - Calls that are not properly signed or authenticated may be blocked, leading to dropped or failed call attempts.
- Affected Calls - This applies to both incoming and outgoing calls involving French networks.
NOTE: Blocked calls can be caused by either end of the connection not having correct STIR/SHAKEN signatures or authentication.- Any outbound calls made to French destinations that originate from outside of France and use a spoofed French CLI will likely be blocked. To resolve this issue, it is recommended to port the spoofed number to the 8x8 network, use a French number already on the 8x8 network, or use a non-French CLI.
What should I do if my calls are being blocked?
If you encounter any blocked calls, please Contact 8x8 Technical Support to further investigate the issue. They will require the following information:
- Date/Time of the call
- Call Direction (Inbound/Outbound)
- Originating Number
- Destination Number
- Result (description of user experience)