The Federal Communications Commission advanced a proposal to bring outsourced call center jobs back to the U.S., voting Thursday to open the plan to public comments. The new rules would require telecom companies to disclose customer service agents' locations and cap the share of calls handled by overseas agents. The FCC floated the proposal earlier this month, citing concerns about fraud and language barriers.

Under the plan, companies would need to ensure overseas agents meet English-language proficiency requirements and give consumers the option to be served by U.S.-based agents. Analysts suggest the proposal could accelerate automation as companies seek alternatives to overseas call centers. The rules would apply to phone, internet, and cable providers.

The FCC's move comes amid growing pressure from consumer advocates who argue that offshore call centers create communication problems and make it harder to resolve issues. The proposal, if adopted later this year, would represent a significant shift in how telecom companies handle customer service operations.