What I don't understand is why it is such a prevalent issue in the US but not in Europe.
I've had a couple of French phone numbers over the past 15 years and I can't recall a single time I got spam call (though I did get an occasional spam text message with a shady link). I know my parents occasionally get some call but it's a small handful of offenders that keep repeating the same call again and again.
I don't think it's a technical difference as you can make call using IPBX/VOIP without too much trouble here.
Isn't it because local calls are free in America, but they've never really been free here. Also I do get spam calls in the UK occasionally. Maybe once every couple of months.
Also they're more obvious because they're always from a landline number, and barely anyone uses landlines anymore. In America landline and mobile numbers are mixed so you can't tell (as far as I know).
Oh, I’m sure American telcos get paid to terminate calls, it’s just a tiny amount (less than 1 cent/minute). It’s still worth it for the scammers, and the telcos like the extra revenue, especially as POTS declines.
My VOIP provider charges a lot more for EU call termination, which probably makes scattershot robocalls unprofitable.
I've had a couple of French phone numbers over the past 15 years and I can't recall a single time I got spam call (though I did get an occasional spam text message with a shady link). I know my parents occasionally get some call but it's a small handful of offenders that keep repeating the same call again and again.
I don't think it's a technical difference as you can make call using IPBX/VOIP without too much trouble here.