The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued new recommendations for implementing a Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) Service across Indian telecommunication networks, marking the latest development in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen telecom security and combat fraud. The initiative follows India’s recent launch of the Sanchar Saathi mobile application, which introduced enhanced mobile security features for telecommunications users.
The regulatory body has urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to implement CNAP services immediately, highlighting its role in enabling subscribers to make informed decisions about incoming calls and reduce harassment from unknown or spam callers. The recommendation supports India’s broader digital identity initiatives, including the mandatory Aadhaar-based biometric verification for new SIM cards.
Under the proposed system, caller names would be displayed based on information provided during the SIM card application process, specifically drawing from the Customer Acquisition Form (CAF). TRAI has identified this as the most reliable source of name data currently available to telecommunications providers, particularly as India prepares to implement new biometric authentication requirements for SIM cards in 2025.
The recommendations include establishing a robust Know-Your-Customer (KYC) mechanism to ensure unique identification of telco customers. The KYC framework will complement existing digital identity verification systems, including the expanding Aadhaar authentication infrastructure that has been recently extended to both government and private sector services.
Implementation guidelines specify that each telecom operator must maintain a database containing customer names linked to telephone numbers. The system will respect existing Caller Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) protocols, which allow certain subscribers, including intelligence agency officers and dignitaries, to withhold their identities.
TRAI has recommended adopting the CNAP feature on a ‘best fit’ basis until the government issues comprehensive instructions for implementation across all devices sold in India. The approach aims to address immediate concerns regarding spam calls and call spoofing while broader implementation guidelines are developed.
“The introduction of the CNAP facility in telecommunication networks would empower subscribers to make an informed decision while receiving an incoming call and reduce the harassment of subscribers from unknown/spam callers,” TRAI stated in its recommendations.
Sources: Medianama, Times of India, NDTV Profit
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