US agency considers limits on telecom foreign call centers, requires English proficiency

The FCC is weighing rules to limit U.S. telecoms’ use of foreign call centers and require foreign customer service agents to speak American Standard English, aiming to improve transparency and service quality.

David Shepardson/Reuters

March 05, 2026

US agency considers limits on telecom foreign call centers, requires English proficiency

FILE PHOTO: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr testifies before a hearing of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee's Communications and Technology Subcommittee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., January 14, 2026.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

The Federal Communications Commission said on Wednesday it is considering limits on U.S. telecom firms' use of foreign call centers and requiring foreign-based customer service workers to be proficient in American Standard English.

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the commission plans to vote this month on an initial proposal to require call takers to be proficient in American Standard English and whether to impose limits on call volume from overseas call centers, allow consumers to request to transfer calls to a U.S.-based location, or require providers to disclose the location of the call center to customers.

-David Shepardson/Reuters