#United States #Somos #East Brunswick #Melissa Blassingame #Telecom Trust

Somos Expands Advisory Board with Esteemed Telecommunications Leader

Somos, Inc. has taken significant strides in strengthening its commitment to telecommunications integrity by appointing Melissa Blassingame, the telecommunications trust and policy leader at Twilio, to its Advisory Board. This strategic move aims to bolster collaboration across the telecom ecosystem and enhance fraud prevention initiatives.

The New Advisory Board Member

With nearly 20 years of experience in telecommunications, Melissa Blassingame brings extensive knowledge and leadership skills to her new role. At Twilio, she leads a team focused on addressing complex challenges in the industry and promoting trusted communication practices. Her expertise is vital in advancing initiatives that build confidence and integrity within the telecom landscape.

Blassingame’s achievements include spearheading efforts to secure Twilio’s signing privileges and to establish direct numbering access as part of the STIR/SHAKEN framework implementation. This framework is integral to countering call spoofing and enhancing trust in call origins.

Commitment to Trusted Communications

Reflecting on her new role, Blassingame stated, "Trusted communications require strong industry alignment, continuous innovation, and a commitment to accountability." She further emphasized that Somos plays a vital role in uniting the industry to further these efforts. Her appointment is not just an addition to the board; it signifies a commitment to prioritize security and trust in telecommunications.

The Somos Advisory Board consists of esteemed figures from the telecommunications realm, comprising organizations like Sinch, Google, Salesforce, Verizon, Bandwidth, Vonage, and ID.me. The board aims to drive innovation and facilitate collaboration within the sector, and Blassingame’s addition strengthens this mission.

Michelle Larsen, Chief Customer and Growth Officer at Somos, remarks on Blassingame’s appointment: "Melissa brings exactly the kind of expertise the industry needs as communications trust continues to evolve. Her experience in telecom policy, authentication frameworks, and fraud mitigation will be invaluable in addressing emerging challenges."

Future Endeavors

Kelly Perini, Chair of the Board and CEO of Somos, expressed enthusiasm about Blassingame’s influence on the advisory board, citing her expertise in shaping the future of trusted communications. This partnership will further enhance strategic initiatives that promote security, innovation, and collaboration across the telecom ecosystem.

About Somos, Inc.

Somos, Inc. stands at the forefront of phone number administration and identity information services, with a mission to restore trust in global communications. As a trusted steward of the North American Numbering Plan (NANPA), Toll-Free Numbering Administration (TFNA), and the Reassigned Numbers Database (RND), Somos supports over 1,400 service providers, managing more than 7 billion phone numbers across North America.

In addition to its foundational numbering administration role, Somos delivers commercial capabilities through XConnect's intelligent phone number data portfolio, which assists enterprises in protecting their brands, verifying identities, optimizing routing, and ensuring trusted customer communications worldwide.

For more information about Somos and its initiatives, visit www.somos.com.