Luxembourg regulator confronts ping calls and scam calls

Luxembourg's telecoms regulator has acknowledged the persistent problem of ping calls and scam calls, but lacks the legal authority to block fraudulent numbers. The Grand Duchy's justice minister said the regulator can only offer mediation to help resolve disputes over unwanted charges.

Lack of blocking power

The regulator, Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR), does not have the power to require operators to block calls from identified fraudsters, unlike regulators in France and Germany. The ILR's plans to review spam call regulations aim to keep pace with evolving fraud patterns.

Difficult to track frauds

It's challenging to quantify the scope of the issue due to the constant mutation of scam tactics. Operators Post, Orange, and Proximus collectively hold 98% of Luxembourg's mobile market and 87% of landlines, but they don't release specific data on ping call prevalence. Instead, they focus on countermeasures and consumer awareness.

Operator measures

Post, the largest operator, employs technical experts to monitor traffic and block calls from suspicious international networks. When calls appear to originate from Luxembourg but actually come from abroad, Post displays