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Telecommunications / Fraud Prevention

Engineering the infrastructure
that stops illegal robocalls

The Industry Traceback Group needed more than a development vendor – they needed an engineering team that could operate as their own. VSP embedded at every level, from architecture to daily operations, to keep ITG's mission-critical systems running at full speed.

Telecommunications network infrastructure
1,000+ Tracebacks conducted
95% Tracebacks resulting in action
500+ Offending callers removed
32M Daily illegal calls stopped

By the numbers

The impact of staying embedded for the long haul

ITG's traceback mission requires software that works every day without fail. These results are the direct outcome of treating their systems like our own.

95%
Of completed tracebacks resulted in direct enforcement action against illegal callers
70%
Of tracebacks in 2022 ended with the offending caller terminated or formally warned
10M+
Illegal robocalls tracked across 1,000+ tracebacks involving 100+ companies

The challenge

The Industry Traceback Group is a USTelecom initiative – the only FCC- and FTC-recognized traceback consortium in the United States. Since 2015, ITG has operated the infrastructure that tracks illegal robocalls back to their source, enabling carriers and regulators to act.

Running this kind of operation requires software that doesn't fail. ITG's portal and backend systems are the backbone of every traceback – and they needed an engineering team that could treat those systems with the same urgency that ITG's mission demands.

The specific problem: ITG needed to transition from a project-based engagement model to something more like a true in-house engineering team. They needed continuity, institutional knowledge, multi-level partnership, and engineering depth – not a revolving cast of contractors.

Terminated callers were responsible for approximately 32 million illegal robocalls per day. This is what the software is protecting against.

How we approached it

VSP started by investing in the transition – providing unbilled hours to get fully up to speed on ITG's systems before the formal engagement began. That's not a standard contractor move. It's how a partner behaves.

The team VSP deployed was carefully selected for their ability to integrate into ITG's operations rather than run parallel to them. Engineers became fluent in ITG's portal architecture, its workflows, and the specific compliance requirements of traceback operations.

Telecom operations center

Partnerships at both levels – leadership and engineering – were maintained and calibrated throughout the engagement. When ITG's needs shifted, VSP adapted. Software upgrades were absorbed and shipped without disrupting operations.

What got built

A continuously improved portal and backend environment that powers ITG's traceback operations at scale. The engineering team VSP provides manages daily operations, handles upgrades, and brings full institutional knowledge to every problem – so ITG's leadership can focus on the mission instead of the software.

The results speak to the quality of what's underneath: over 1,000 tracebacks conducted, 95% of them resulting in action, 500+ offending callers removed from U.S. telephone networks, and tens of millions of illegal robocalls stopped.

It's clear in working with the VSP team that they are invested in our success as much as we are. They feel like they are part of our team – and that is nice, but on top of that, it's effective.
Industry Traceback Group – USTelecom

Need an engineering team that stays?

VSP specializes in long-term, embedded partnerships where our team becomes yours. If you need depth, continuity, and real ownership over your software – let's talk.

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