Say Goodbye to Spam Calls: Indian telecom behemoths Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea will soon launch a feature named Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) to enable customers to identify incoming calls without the use of third-party applications. It is undertaken with the motive to improve user experience and put an end to the flow of unwanted calls. It is the start of telecom services, offering a convergent platform for caller identification, offering greater transparency and security to mobile subscribers.

Read More: Vivo V40e 5G vs Oppo Reno 12 5G: Which Is More Durable?

Read More: Poco X7 Pro 5G vs Motorola Edge 50 Pro: Which Offers More Value?

What is CNAP?

CNAP allows the name of the registered caller to be shown on the recipient’s phone when called. Unlike apps such as Truecaller, which depend on user data, CNAP depends on information gathered from telecom operators’ Know Your Customer (KYC) records and is, therefore, more accurate and robust. This will provide users with a more accurate source of caller identification, and chances of showing false or misleading information on their phones are reduced.

Implementation by Telecom Operators

Telecom operators like Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea have implemented CNAP through partnerships with technology suppliers like HP, Dell, Ericsson, and Nokia. The partnerships would supply the required servers and software for the roll-out of the feature. In the initial phase, CNAP would show caller names during intra-network calls. For example, if a Jio customer calls another Jio customer, he would have his name flashed. Inter-network caller identification will be deployed upon signing data-sharing agreements between operators. Installation is labor intensive but offers a smooth user experience upon completion.

Regulatory Push and Challenges

India Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had suggested introducing CNAP in February 2024. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is asking telecom companies to introduce the feature at an early date to combat the increasing number of spam and phishing calls. There are technical constraints, however, especially with 2G networks, where the introduction of CNAP is not currently possible. The upgrade of the present infrastructure continues to be a major area of concern, and the telecommunication providers will need to resolve these issues before smoothly launching the service.

Impact on Users

The introduction of CNAP will be able to adequately prevent spam calls by allowing users to receive complete caller identification. The functionality will allow users to make wise choices to receive calls, hence enhancing overall security in communication. The functionality will also help companies and consumers as it will differentiate between legitimate calls from banks, government, and institutions.

Future Prospects

With the start of CNAP, telephone operators will be introducing the facility of inter-network caller identification. The process will be backed by data-sharing agreements and strong infrastructure so that the operation becomes easy among different networks. With the progress of time, the service can be added to include other levels of security like a fraud-detecting facility so that mobile communication becomes even more secure in the country.