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

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