Telecom operators in Mumbai and Haryana have begun trials for caller ID services in response to government and TRAI pressure, as reported by the Economic Times.
The trials for the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service are currently limited to these regions, with plans to potentially expand to other cities soon, according to sources cited in the report.
CNAP Aims to Combat Spam and Fraud Calls
Proposed by TRAI in November 2022, CNAP aims to allow users to identify incoming callers by displaying both their number and name. This initiative seeks to reduce the growing issue of spam and fraud calls.
A senior telecom executive, speaking anonymously to TOI, mentioned that trials are starting with limited numbers to assess CNAP’s feasibility. The results will be shared with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to inform future decisions about the service.
Industry Concerns and Opposition
However, telecom operators have expressed concerns about the mandatory implementation of CNAP.
Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio cautioned against mandatory adoption, citing potential technical challenges such as increased load on signaling and possible impacts on latency and interconnection-related issues.
Airtel highlighted “techno-commercial challenges” and emphasized the need for CNAP to comply with privacy laws. Meanwhile, Vodafone Idea advocated for CNAP to be offered as an optional service rather than a mandatory one.
Challenges and Future Considerations
In February 2023, The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) questioned the effectiveness of mandatory CNAP implementation and raised concerns about privacy risks to users. The association suggested that TRAI consider an opt-in approach instead.
As trials progress, more insights are expected regarding the operational feasibility of CNAP and its reception among both users and operators.