Solving the Caller ID Problem - O'Reilly Emerging Telephony

"In the wake of the proposed Truth in Caller ID Act, a lengthy discussion of the issues around reliable Caller ID data recently took place on the excellent Voice Over IP Security Alliance VOIPSEC mailing list. While many points were debated, two things are clear: VoIP-based systems connecting to the PSTN have increased the unreliability of Caller ID data, and law enforcement agencies have legitimate needs to be able to get access to call record information that is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. "

Solving the Caller ID Problem - O'Reilly Emerging Telephony:

A Proposal for Solving the Caller ID Problem

"There is growing concern over the interaction of VoIP systems with the legacy PSTN, and the transmission of caller identity data--most notably, Caller ID on the PSTN. It is not always possible, or obvious how, to handle Caller ID data when moving to or from VoIP and the PSTN networks. There are even business models predicated on the ability of Caller ID to be transmitted to the PSTN with a value that is not 'expected'; call centers are an obvious example, where customer-support staff make outbound calls with a Caller ID that may be from one of many possible clients. More troubling is the possibility that Caller ID may be used to trick unsuspecting call recipients into certain actions or beliefs, and it is this concern that's currently creating a legislative threat I believe must be averted."

O'Reilly Network -- A Proposal for Solving the Caller ID Problem

Nerd Vittles » Putting Real Names Back in CallerID: 3 Quick Perl Solutions for the Asterisk PBX

"If you haven't noticed, useful Caller ID (meaning a number and a name display) is pretty much a bust in the VoIP marketplace except for calls originating from Baby Bell-controlled local phone numbers. And, with some VoIP providers, getting a CallerID name with any incoming call is a rarity. Jeff Pulver has proposed a new national database where you can list yourself. In fact, you can sign up today. But, suffice it to say, it isn't soup just yet. Known in the trade as CNAM service, many telephony service providers simply throw incoming names in the bit bucket unless you are one of their subscribers. The Baby Bells are among the most notorious. Some don't even provide CNAM service from other areas of the country unless the caller is part of the local carrier's feifdom. And I guess if I charged $40 for basic local phone service with CallerID, I'd want to keep my monopoly, too. We'll have more on the pricing issue at the end of today's article."

Nerd Vittles » Putting Real Names Back in CallerID: 3 Quick Perl Solutions for the Asterisk PBX:

VoIP hacks gut Caller I.D.

"Caller I.D. isn't what it used to be. Hackers have discovered that the handy feature that tells you who's calling before you answer the phone is easily manipulated through weaknesses in Voice over IP (VoIP) programs and networks. They can make their phone calls appear to be from any number they want, and even pierce the veil of Caller I.D. blocking to unmask an anonymous phoner's unlisted number."

VoIP hacks gut Caller I.D.