Increasing SPAM calls: TRAI asks to show caller’s name

Telecom operators in India have initiated "limited trials" for caller identification (ID) services in Mumbai and Haryana to address the increasing issue of pesky and spam calls, according to a report by The Times of India.

Sources cited in the report mentioned that operators plan to expand these trials to other cities in the coming weeks. The implementation of Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) is seen as a crucial step in reducing the number of spam and fraudulent calls that have been on the rise recently. CNAP will enable users to see the name of the caller, helping them to make informed decisions about answering calls and enhancing overall call security.

Trials are beginning on limited numbers as we try and assess the feasibility of CNAP, where not only the number but even the name of the caller will be displayed during incoming calls,” a senior executive was quoted as saying in the report. “We will be sharing the results of the trials with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) so that a practical and justifiable view of the proposed service can be taken."

Earlier, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) had recommended that the government mandate the inclusion of CNAP on all mobile phones sold in India after a specified deadline following the notification. However, telecom operators raised objections to this proposal, citing technical difficulties.

The ongoing trials aim to address these concerns by evaluating the technical feasibility and effectiveness of the CNAP service in real-world conditions. The results from these trials will help the DoT make an informed decision about the broader implementation of CNAP across the country, potentially leading to a significant reduction in spam and fraudulent calls.

Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio stated that CNAP should "not be a mandatory service," highlighting concerns such as "increased load on signalling and possible impact on latency and interconnection-related issues."

Airtel echoed similar sentiments, indicating that there would likely be "techno-commercial challenges" involved in implementing the measure. The company also emphasized the need for CNAP to comply with privacy laws, stating, "Privacy is an important consideration, and the framework is going to have to address the genuine concerns of users who may not be keen to share their details."

Vodafone Idea suggested that CNAP should be implemented "as an optional service" rather than being imposed on telecommunications companies.

These responses from major telecom operators underscore the complexity of implementing CNAP, balancing technical feasibility, commercial viability, and privacy considerations. The feedback from these trials and the telecom operators' concerns will be crucial in shaping the final approach taken by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI).