Understanding CNAP: The Future of Caller Identification
Addressing the spam calls, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has proposed the implementation of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service. This feature will allow users to see the caller’s name on their mobile screens, similar to services like Truecaller. However, unlike third-party apps that rely on crowd-sourced data, CNAP will utilize information provided by subscribers in the Customer Application Form (CAF) submitted during the acquisition of a phone connection.
Collaboration for a Seamless Rollout
Leading telecom operators in India — Vodafone Idea Ltd, Bharti Airtel Ltd, and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd — are joining forces with global technology giants such as HP, Dell, Ericsson, and Nokia. This collaboration aims to develop the necessary servers and software to implement CNAP effectively. Trials have already been conducted in select regions, and the service will be introduced in phases once the technology is stabilized.
Government’s Push to Curb Spam Calls
In February 2024, TRAI recommended the adoption of CNAP for all smartphones and urged the government to mandate telecom operators to implement this service. The primary goal is to reduce harassment from spam calls and unknown callers. By January 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) instructed telecom operators to expedite the rollout of CNAP, making name display mandatory for incoming calls. This initiative empowers recipients to identify callers, thereby curbing spam and scam calls.
Technical Limitations and Considerations
While CNAP promises enhanced caller identification to prevent spam calls, telecom operators have indicated that the service may not be feasible for feature phone and 2G users due to technological constraints. Additionally, the effectiveness of CNAP across different networks may be limited initially. For example, if an Airtel subscriber calls another Airtel user, the caller’s name will be displayed. However, this feature may not function seamlessly when calling users on different networks, such as Jio or Vodafone Idea, until data-sharing agreements between operators are established.
Rising Cyber Fraud in India: A Growing Concern
The introduction of CNAP comes at a crucial time, as cyber fraud cases in India have seen a significant surge. In the first four months of 2024 alone, over 740,000 cybercrime cases were reported to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), with approximately 85% related to online financial fraud. Trading scams accounted for losses exceeding ₹14 billion across more than 20,000 cases during this period.
Empowering Users in the Digital Age
The implementation of CNAP represents a significant step towards enhancing user security and reducing the prevalence of spam calls in India. By providing accurate caller identification directly through telecom operators, users can make informed decisions about incoming calls, thereby reducing the risk of falling victim to scams. As the digital landscape evolves, such initiatives are vital in safeguarding users against the growing threats of cyber fraud.
