CNAP Trials Begin: Telcos Test Caller ID Feature to Curb Scams; Rollout across India likely in April – The Times of India

Mobile users will soon see the names of unknown callers appearing on their phone screens as telecom operators have started testing the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. The feature aims to help users identify callers more easily and curb the rising number of spam and scam calls across the country.According to an ET report, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed operators to initiate proof-of-concept trials before rolling out CNAP nationwide. The system automatically displays the registered caller name, and not just the number, when an incoming call is received. This is expected to reduce the number of cases of impersonation, where callers pretend to be representatives of other entities or use false identities.

Trials and implementation

During the pilot phase, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea and BSNL will test the service from the Haryana circle, while Bharti Airtel will conduct its testing from Himachal Pradesh. The caller’s name will only appear if the person has a mobile connection registered in one of these circles. For example, if a Haryana or Himachal subscriber calls someone elsewhere in India, the recipient’s name will be displayed on the recipient’s screen, provided the number is not already saved.

How CNAP works

The CNAP feature uses the information provided by subscribers in their customer acquisition forms at the time of connection. Once fully rolled out, it will be a standard service. However, currently landline users and those using feature phones on 2G networks are excluded. An industry executive was quoted by ET as saying that “landline numbers will be included after the data is integrated.”

National rollout and challenges

The DOT has urged telecom companies to implement CNAP quickly, with a nationwide rollout expected in March to April next year, depending on trial results. However, operators have cited the technological limitations of 2G networks as a key challenge for wider deployment.Telecom companies have not yet officially commented on the ongoing trials.