Table of Contents
Telecom Operators Initiate CNAP Testing Amid Regulatory Push
Telecom operators in India have begun trials of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) caller ID service, responding to regulatory pressures from TRAI and the Department of Telecom (DoT) aimed at reducing fraudulent calls across the country.
CNAP Testing Underway in Mumbai and Haryana
According to a report from The Times of India via The Economic Times, select regions such as Mumbai and Haryana are currently undergoing limited CNAP caller ID service trials. The specific telecom operators involved in these trials have yet to be disclosed.
Operator Concerns and Pushback
Significant players like Airtel and Reliance Jio have expressed reservations regarding the mandatory implementation of CNAP in India. Airtel cited “techno-commercial challenges” and privacy concerns as substantial barriers. Similarly, Reliance Jio raised issues related to increased signalling load and potential impacts on network latency.
Understanding Caller ID: Enhancing Call Transparency
Once activated, Caller ID will display the caller’s phone number and full name, sourced from telecom operators’ customer application forms (CAFs) and verified during the Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This initiative aims to combat the rising tide of spam and fraudulent calls nationwide.
Regulatory Recommendations and Operator Response
TRAI’s proposal to maintain a comprehensive database linking customer names and numbers to facilitate CNAP implementation has encountered resistance from telecom giants such as Airtel, Vi, and Reliance Jio. These operators advocate for a voluntary opt-in approach for consumers, particularly for commercial and telemarketing numbers.
Challenges Ahead: Integration and User Consent
The widespread adoption of CNAP across mobile devices poses challenges for handset manufacturers and software providers tasked with scaling up caller data collection. Operators emphasize the need to consider user privacy and consent when deploying this service.
Conclusion
While the CNAP caller ID service holds promise in curbing spam calls in India, its full-scale implementation faces hurdles, including technical complexities and regulatory compliance. As trials progress in select regions, telecom operators continue to navigate these challenges, striving to balance consumer protection and operational feasibility.
