Government Mandates Name Display for Unknown Calls: Key Changes Effective November 1
Telecom operators in India will begin implementing Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) from November 1, 2023. This new feature will display the caller’s name on the recipient’s phone screen, changing how incoming calls are identified. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated that all telecom service providers must roll out this service across their networks.
The CNAP service will initially be available on 4G and higher-generation networks, with plans to consider its rollout on 2G, 3G, and landline networks at a later date. Users will not need to register separately to access this feature.
What changes on your phone from November 1?
Starting November 1, incoming calls will show the caller’s number along with their name. The display will vary based on whether the recipient has saved the number.
- Saved numbers: The name stored in the recipient’s contacts will appear.
- Unsaved domestic numbers: The name recorded in the caller’s subscriber details with their telecom operator will be shown.
- Unsaved international numbers: The screen will display ‘International Call’ for calls originating from or destined to another country.
How will the new caller identification system work?
The CNAP feature relies on databases maintained by telecom operators. Each operator must create and manage a database that links users’ calling name identities with their assigned phone numbers. When a call is received, the terminating telecom service provider will retrieve the caller’s name from this database and display it on the recipient’s phone.
The DoT’s directive applies to all telecom service providers with authorization or licenses to provide access services, requiring them to implement CNAP by November 1, 2026.
Will every caller’s name be visible?
Not all callers will have their names displayed. Subscribers who have opted for the Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) will not have their calling name identity shown.
- CLIR users: Their names will remain hidden.
- Other callers: The displayed name will depend on whether the number is saved in the recipient’s contacts and if the call is domestic or international.Telecom operators may offer businesses and users with bulk connections the option to display a preferred name instead of the name recorded in their subscriber data. However, businesses must meet specific verification requirements, including having a trademark registered or a trade name registered on the Goods and Services Tax portal.
What will businesses need to do?
For new connections, businesses must ensure their preferred name is recorded in both the customer application form and the subscriber data record. They must provide original documents proving registration under the proposed name, which telecom operators will attach to the application.
For existing connections, telecom operators must create a process for businesses to apply to have their preferred names recorded. The subscriber data record can be updated after proper verification of the application. Operators are required to conduct due diligence and retain copies of documents proving registration under the preferred name.
The Central Government may issue further instructions as necessary. The DoT’s guidelines reference recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regarding the introduction of CNAP in Indian telecom networks.
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