Caller names to appear on phone screens from November 1 under new DoT rules

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators to introduce a service displaying callers’ names alongside their phone numbers on recipients’ screens from November 1, aiming to make it easier for users to identify incoming calls.

The directive, issued on October 13, mandates the implementation of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) across all service areas for operators holding a licence or authorisation to provide access services.

Under the new system, incoming domestic calls will display both the caller’s number and name. If the recipient has saved the number in their contacts, the name stored on their phone will appear. For numbers that are not saved, the name registered in the caller’s telecom operator records will be displayed. Incoming international calls will instead be labelled “International Call”.

How caller name identification will work

The CNAP service will rely on databases maintained by telecom operators, linking subscribers’ names with their mobile numbers. When a call is made, the recipient’s network will query the caller’s operator database in real time to retrieve the registered name.

The DoT has instructed operators to follow a “security-by-design” framework. Names retrieved through these queries must be deleted immediately after the call ends, with operators prohibited from retaining the fetched information. They must also ensure that their networks and databases can process requests quickly without affecting call quality.

Airtel, Jio and Vodafone Idea among operators to support CNAP

Telecom service providers, including Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea, have conducted trials to introduce the caller name presentation service on wireless terrestrial networks.

The initial rollout will cover 4G and higher-generation wireless networks. The government may consider extending the facility to 2G and 3G networks, as well as landline connections, at a later stage.

Special provisions for corporate connections

Organisations using corporate or bulk mobile connections may be given the option to display a “preferred name” instead of the name recorded in the telecom operator’s database.

However, the preferred name must meet specific verification requirements. It must correspond either to a trademark registered in the subscriber’s name or to a trade name verified through the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal.

Who will be exempt from name display?

Subscribers who have opted for Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR), which prevents their caller identity from being displayed, will not have their names shown under the new system.

The directive also requires telecom operators to establish mechanisms for receiving and resolving complaints related to CNAP within a prescribed timeframe.

The latest order follows recommendations issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on February 23, 2024, concerning the introduction of caller name presentation services.