Just to satisfy my curiosity, when we get to the brave new world where there is no PSTN would something like this potentially cut off a customer in a mobile free zone from access to the emergency services?

Depends on what VoIP the customer had - for example third-party VoIP provider would just run over the top of any internet connection.

What happens when someones VoIP number is slammed ... the customer, potentially elderly with little technical ability, could have no idea about reconfiguring the device - even if possible. Even if it was possible and achieved, do all VoIP providers support 999/112 &c? At one time some did not and even if they did, they may not have a physical location for the caller.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

It’s something really that Ofcom as the regulator should be errr regulating - but I fear they (a) don’t really know the actual numbers/incidence of slamming (b) don’t want to install safeguards in the process (like a serial number check) lest it slows down the GPL process and somehow ‘harms’ competition

Unfortunately what you propose also "harms" real-world use cases.

Say you are about to move into a house and you want to order broadband for it, but:

1. You don't have access yet to get the ONT serial number, or the landlord/previous owner/estate agent refuses to do so; or
2. The previous owner ripped the ONT off the wall and threw it away

You'd then be unable to place an order.

Furthermore, as was pointed out to me in another thread, the ONT serial number information is publicly available. So anybody wanting a malicious takeover would be able to make it go through anyway.

I think it would be better for the losing ISP to contact their customer to gain confirmation. Of course, if there is no active service currently on the line, then there's no problem.

So the great majority of less technically aware users with their BT connection and phone plugged into their BT Hub would be at that risk then? We do tend to discuss things on this Forum which are beyond the interest or capability of most internet/telephony users!

Funny you should mention that as we had this exact thing with our copper lines a few years ago- not sure you could call it ‘slamming’ per se but after a “repair” all the lines on our lane were transposed - so I got the inbound calls for the ninety year female neighbour about 6 houses away. Our number was going to the local holiday campsite.

It was an utter mess, that took several weeks to get resolved. Family of the ninety year old were deeply concerned as she could call them (from another number) but when they tried to call on her number they’d get us instead.

Sneaker-net took on a whole new meaning 😅

I don’t think these things are malicious - yes you can see ONT serial numbers though various publicly accessible ISP order portals (well one well known one in particular) - but rather it’s a case of mistakes / lax / poor practice by the gaining provider not doing any form of diligence to check. Then further mistakes by the losing provider not doing enough to stop the migration when their legitimate customer has notified them.

I’m all ears (metaphorically). Let’s discuss.

In reply to a post by candlerb:

Unfortunately what you propose also "harms" real-world use cases.

Say you are about to move into a house and you want to order broadband for it, but:

1. You don't have access yet to get the ONT serial number, or the landlord/previous owner/estate agent refuses to do so; or
2. The previous owner ripped the ONT off the wall and threw it away

You'd then be unable to place an order.

To add, I can only speak for myself, but I don’t move house all that often these days. Did so a lot more when I was in my twenties and renting, but those days are a memory 🤣, but when I did there was typically someone living there up to start of my tenancy / or sale completion on house. Never did order any internet / landline etc (or any other utilities until we were physically in or had keys to the property. Would be a bit presumptuous until then in my mind.

Secondly I think this missing / ripped out ONT case isn’t necessarily that prevalent and even if it was they’re going to need to send an engineer out to stick in a new one - so this would hardly “harm” your real world use case.

In reply to a post by Pheasant:

Secondly I think this missing / ripped out ONT case isn’t necessarily that prevalent and even if it was they’re going to need to send an engineer out to stick in a new one - so this would hardly “harm” your real world use case.

If your order was rejected up-front because you couldn't provide the ONT serial number, then it wouldn't get as far as the engineer visit to replace it.