India is taking a big step to make phone calls
safer and more transparent. The country’s telecom regulator Telecom Regulatory
Authority of India (TRAI) has approved a framework proposed by the Department
of Telecommunications (DoT) called Calling Name Presentation (CNAP). Under this
system, when someone calls, the name registered with the mobile number will
appear on the recipient’s phone, not just the number. This means no more
guessing who’s calling and importantly, no need for third-party apps like
Truecaller to identify the caller.
How CNAP
Will Work for You
The way CNAP works is simpler than many might
expect. When you get a call, the system will fetch the caller’s name from the
telecom provider’s secure database. That database is built from the name you
submitted during your KYC (Know Your Customer) process when you got your SIM.
The network operator maintains the number and the name. When the call comes in,
the recipient’s phone shows both the number and the official name. This process
is designed to work whether you have a basic phone or a smartphone. Trials have
already shown the system works reliably on 4G and 5G networks.
Why India
Needs It
At present, many people receive calls from
unknown numbers and hesitate to answer because they don’t know who’s on the
other side. Many also fall prey to spam and scam calls, sometimes from numbers
that look legitimate but are actually fake. The current system shows only the
number (Calling Line Identification or CLI) but not who actually is calling.
CNAP addresses this gap by showing the verified name, giving users more
confidence and clarity. TRAI’s consultation paper noted that third-party apps
rely on crowd-sourced data and can be unreliable.
What the
Roll-Out Looks Like
India’s telecom operators like Bharti Airtel,
Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd. and Vodafone Idea Ltd. are preparing to roll out
CNAP. According to reports, trials were done in selected circles, and
infrastructure work is underway. The DoT has asked telcos to complete trials by
April 2025. It’s important to note that the service may not be feasible
immediately for users on older 2G networks or feature phones, due to technology
limitations.
Benefits
for Everyday Users
For ordinary mobile users, the benefits of
CNAP are significant:
You’ll see a caller’s verified name with the
number, helping you decide whether to pick up.
You’ll be less likely to miss genuine calls
because you don’t recognise the number.
You’ll have better protection against spam
calls, fake numbers, and scams.
The need to install and rely on a third-party
app simply to identify who is calling could diminish.
This move helps build trust in the telecom
ecosystem and gives users more control over their incoming calls.
Challenges
and Considerations
Despite the promise, there are challenges to
full rollout:
Many users still operate on older network
technologies (2G/3G) where implementation could be difficult.
Operators will need to build and maintain
large databases linking numbers to verified names, raising concerns about data
privacy and security. Indeed, industry bodies have flagged privacy and cost
issues.
All networks and operators must cooperate and
share information (with inter-operator compatibility) for the system to truly
be nationwide and seamless.
Users must have clarity about opting out if
they do not wish their name to be displayed this must be well-handled.
What This
Means for the Telecom Industry
For the telecom sector, CNAP represents a
shift. It means moving away from relying on third-party caller ID apps toward a
network-level, regulated identification service. This could reduce the
dominance of crowd-sourced ID systems and build trust in official
infrastructure. For operators, it means investment in backend systems,
databases, and upgrades across networks. For regulators, it means balancing
transparency and user safety with privacy and security requirements. Overall,
CNAP could become a cornerstone of India’s telecom security architecture.
What You
Should Do as a User
Here are simple steps for users to prepare for
CNAP:
Ensure your mobile number’s registration
details (your name as per KYC) are correct with your operator.
Be aware that your name may start showing on
others’ phones when you call if you’re comfortable with that.
If you prefer not to have your name displayed,
check with your telecom operator about how to opt-out when the service rolls
out.
Continue to exercise caution with unknown
numbers while CNAP will help, it doesn’t mean all spam
will stop overnight.
Conclusion
In everyday language: India is getting a
smarter caller ID system built into the mobile networks. Instead of guessing
who a call is from, you’ll see a verified name alongside the number. While
there are technology, privacy and coordination hurdles, the move marks a big
leap toward safer, clearer phone communication. As CNAP rolls out across the
country, users should benefit from fewer spam calls and more confidence picking
up calls from unknown numbers.
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