The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom companies to initiate a service to identify callers and prevent spam calls. The DoT, according a report on Money Control, has instructed all private telecom operators to commence Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) proof of concept (PoC) testing within a month. This service will display the caller’s name on the recipient’s device, helping users identify legitimate calls and filter out unwanted spam.
As part of the pilot project, the DoT will evaluate the feasibility of implementing CNAP. This can be done by integrating the service directly into the telecom network or developing it as an inbuilt feature within devices. This assessment will determine the most effective approach for the final implementation. By conducting these tests, the DoT aims to enhance user experience by reducing the nuisance of spam calls and ensuring better consumer communication security.
Indian Government to Provide Necessary Instructions
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) consulted the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) in March 2022 regarding the introduction of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP). After thorough discussions with industry stakeholders, TRAI recommended implementing CNAP in February 2024. This recommendation is part of a broader effort to enhance caller identification and reduce spam calls.
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Following the issuance of a formal deadline from the date of notification, the government will provide the necessary instructions to enable the CNAP feature on all mobile phones sold in India. This phased approach ensures that telecom operators and device manufacturers have ample time to incorporate the required technology and make the transition smooth for consumers.
Latest Feature to be Supported by 4G-enabled Handsets
Private telecom providers and industry association IAMAI told TRAI during the consultation process that revealing the name from the KYC form might compromise subscriber privacy and negatively impact women’s safety. Subsequently, telcos conveyed apprehensions regarding prolonged call setup times, latency, and the substantial financial outlays needed to incorporate CNAP. They pointed out that this feature can only be supported by 4G-enabled handsets, which restricts its availability to a significant market segment.
Numerous third-party services, like Truecaller, show or divulge the caller’s identity. Most of the data was gathered via crowdsourcing, so it might need to be more precise. According to TRAI’s suggestions, subscriber entities with business links and bulk purchases should be able to offer their “preferred name” rather than the name that appears on the Customer Application Form (CAF).
Technical Methodology for Deploying CNAP
According to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the “preferred name” displayed through the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) feature can be the “trademark name” registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the “trade name” registered with the GST Council, or any other distinctive name registered with the government. This flexibility allows businesses to use their most recognizable and legally registered names for caller identification, enhancing trust and recognition among users.
TRAI has also outlined a technical methodology for deploying CNAP on the communications network. This includes integrating software and hardware components to ensure seamless functionality across telecom operators and devices. The implementation process involves testing and refining the technology to ensure it works effectively and reliably, providing users with accurate caller information.