Telecom Operators Begin CNAP Service Trials to Display Unknown Caller Names

The Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service is now undergoing trials by major Indian telecom operators in select regions. Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea, and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) are conducting trials in Haryana, while Bharti Airtel is testing the service in Himachal Pradesh. The primary goal of CNAP is to enhance caller identification by displaying the name of the incoming caller on the recipient's smartphone screen, rather than just the phone number. This feature is intended to combat the growing menace of spam, scam calls, and impersonation, thereby improving user safety and trust in telecommunications.

The service leverages information already collected by telecom providers during the customer acquisition process when individuals obtain a new mobile connection. This data, stored in customer acquisition forms, will be used to populate caller names. CNAP is designed to be a default feature for all mobile users.

However, the current trials have certain limitations. The caller's name will only appear if the mobile connection used by the caller was obtained from the trial circles (Haryana or Himachal Pradesh) and if the recipient's device supports the feature. Additionally, the service will not initially cover landline numbers or calls made from feature phones operating on 2G networks. Industry executives indicate that landline integration will occur after data synchronization.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been pushing for the swift implementation of CNAP. Following the successful completion of these trials, the service is anticipated to be rolled out across the nation by March-April of the next year. Telcos have cited technological constraints as a hurdle for extending the service to 2G networks.

Impact: This development is significant for the Indian telecom sector and its subscribers. By making it harder for spammers and scammers to operate anonymously, CNAP can boost consumer confidence in mobile services. For telecom operators, successful implementation could lead to improved customer experience and potentially reduced call blocking rates due to spam, although it may also require investment in infrastructure and data management. The government's push for this service underscores a focus on digital security and user protection. Rating: 8/10

Difficult Terms: * Calling Name Presentation (CNAP): A telecom service that displays the name of the caller on the recipient's phone screen, in addition to their phone number. * Spam calls: Unsolicited and often repetitive calls, usually made for advertising or fraudulent purposes. * Scam calls: Calls made with the intention to deceive and defraud the recipient. * Impersonation: The act of pretending to be another person or entity, often to gain trust or commit fraud. * Customer Acquisition Form: A document filled out by individuals when they purchase a new mobile phone connection, containing personal details. * Department of Telecommunications (DoT): A government department responsible for policy, administration, and development of telecommunications in India. * Proof of Concept (PoC) process: A trial or demonstration to verify that a proposed concept or product is feasible and can work in practice. * Feature phone: A mobile phone that offers basic calling and text messaging functions, often with limited internet capabilities, distinct from smartphones. * 2G network: The second generation of mobile network technology, providing basic voice and data services.