NEW DELHI: India’s telecommunications sector is caught in a growing debate between the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) over whether mobile users should automatically see the caller’s name for every incoming call — a change that could significantly affect privacy, convenience, and the ongoing fight against spam.
In a September communication to TRAI, the DoT backed the mandatory rollout of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) feature for all subscribers. Under the proposal, when a user receives a call from an unknown number, the name linked to that SIM card’s registration would appear on the recipient’s screen by default.
The DoT’s position contrasts with TRAI’s earlier recommendation from February 2023, which suggested that CNAP be offered only as a supplementary, opt-in service. The department now wants the feature to be on by default, requiring users to opt out if they prefer not to use it. TRAI has acknowledged the DoT’s reference without formally objecting to the change in approach.
CNAP was initially conceived to curb India’s surge in spam and scam calls, which have eroded public trust in mobile communication. Regulators argue the feature could help users identify legitimate calls and reduce fraud. But critics question its real-world effectiveness, noting that scammers can easily acquire new SIM cards, exploit gaps in “Know Your Customer” (KYC) checks, or switch to internet-based or spoofed calls.
Privacy experts have also raised red flags. They warn that the default caller name display could expose users’ personal details in unexpected ways. For instance, a “callback spam” — where a spammer briefly rings and disconnects — could allow the caller to learn the target’s name once the call is returned, potentially enabling more personalized and convincing scams.
Despite these concerns, major telecom operators, including Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea have been testing CNAP for 4G and 5G users in regions like Haryana and Mumbai. The DoT cited the success of these trials to strengthen its case for nationwide deployment.
The department has also sought to modify other parts of TRAI’s earlier recommendations. It questioned classifying CNAP as a supplementary service — a definition TRAI defended by citing standards from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI).
DoT has endorsed TRAI’s phased rollout plan, calling for immediate implementation on 4G and 5G networks, with later expansion to older 2G and 3G technologies once technically feasible. It also supported TRAI’s suggestion that new smartphones include the feature by default after a fixed cut-off date, while recommending that device-level coordination be handled by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
The ongoing DoT–TRAI discussions underscore the delicate balance India faces between protecting consumers, safeguarding privacy, and advancing digital innovation in one of the world’s fastest-growing telecom markets.
