In an era where spam calls have become a persistent nuisance for mobile users, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken a significant step toward addressing this issue with its proposed Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service. As of March 30, 2025, this initiative is gaining traction as a potential game-changer in the Indian telecommunications landscape. In this blog post, we’ll dive into what CNAP is, how it aims to reduce spam calls, and the timeline for its implementation by Indian telecom service providers.
What is CNAP?
CNAP, or Calling Name Presentation, is a caller identification service proposed by TRAI to display the name of the caller on the recipient’s phone screen during an incoming call. Unlike third-party apps like Truecaller, which rely on crowd-sourced data that may not always be accurate, CNAP leverages verified information provided by subscribers during their Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This data, typically submitted via the Customer Application Form (CAF) when obtaining a SIM card, ensures that the caller’s identity is tied to official records, making it a more reliable solution.
The service aims to empower users by providing them with immediate visibility into who is calling, enabling them to make informed decisions about whether to answer or ignore the call. Additionally, TRAI has proposed that subscribers can opt into the service upon request, and those who prefer anonymity can use the existing Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) facility to block their name from being displayed. For businesses with bulk connections, CNAP offers the flexibility to display a “preferred name” (e.g., a trademark or trade name registered with the government) instead of the individual subscriber’s name.
How Will CNAP Reduce Spam Calls?
Spam calls, including robocalls, telemarketing pitches, and fraudulent schemes, have been a growing menace in India, with millions of users receiving unwanted calls daily. CNAP is designed to tackle this problem in several key ways:
- Enhanced Caller Transparency: By displaying the caller’s verified name, CNAP makes it easier for recipients to distinguish legitimate calls from potential spam. Unknown or suspicious names can serve as a red flag, reducing the likelihood of users falling victim to scams.
- Deterrence for Spammers: Since CNAP relies on KYC-verified data, it ties a caller’s identity to their official records. This traceability could discourage spammers and fraudsters who rely on anonymity to operate, as their real identities might be exposed.
- Reduced Reliance on Third-Party Apps: While apps like Truecaller are popular, their accuracy depends on user-submitted data, which can be outdated or incorrect. CNAP’s use of telecom-managed databases offers a more authoritative alternative, potentially reducing the clutter of misidentified calls.
- Support for Broader Anti-Spam Measures: CNAP complements other TRAI initiatives, such as AI-based spam filters and the blocking of spoofed international calls. Together, these efforts create a multi-layered defense against unsolicited communications.
While CNAP isn’t a silver bullet—spammers could still use illegally obtained SIMs or opt out via CLIR—it represents a significant step toward curbing the spam call epidemic by empowering users with better information and increasing accountability for callers.
Timeline for Implementation by Indian Telecom Service Providers
The journey toward implementing CNAP has been gradual, marked by consultations, trials, and ongoing refinements. Here’s a breakdown of the timeline based on the latest developments as of March 30, 2025:
- Initial Proposal (2022): TRAI first floated the idea of CNAP in a consultation paper on November 29, 2022, seeking feedback from stakeholders. The goal was to address the rising tide of spam and fraudulent calls, which existing caller ID systems couldn’t adequately handle.
- Recommendations Finalized (February 2024): After extensive discussions with telecom operators like Airtel, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea (Vi), TRAI finalized its recommendations on February 23, 2024. It urged the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to mandate CNAP as a supplementary service, with telecom providers required to offer it upon subscriber request.
- Trials Begin (June 2024): Limited trials of CNAP kicked off in mid-2024, starting in regions like Mumbai and Haryana. These tests aimed to assess technical feasibility, including compatibility with existing networks and devices, amid concerns from telecoms about latency, signaling load, and support for 2G feature phones.
- Government Mandate (January 2025): In January 2025, the DoT instructed telecom operators to implement CNAP at the earliest, signaling a push for broader adoption. Reports indicate that operators began ordering equipment to support the service around this time.
- Current Status (March 30, 2025): As of today, CNAP is in the early stages of implementation but not yet fully rolled out nationwide. Telecom giants like Jio, Airtel, and Vi have conducted trials and are planning phased rollouts. Some operators, such as Airtel, have started limited deployments, particularly for commercial entities, due to privacy concerns raised during consultations. However, a full nationwide launch date remains unspecified, with challenges like interoperability between operators, 2G limitations, and privacy debates still being addressed.
- Future Outlook: The rollout is expected to progress in stages throughout 2025, with initial focus possibly on 4G and 5G users due to technical constraints with older networks. TRAI and DoT continue to refine the framework, balancing privacy (a fundamental right under India’s 2017 Supreme Court ruling) with the need to curb spam. A comprehensive mandate requiring CNAP on all devices sold in India after a specific cut-off date is still pending government approval.
Challenges and Considerations
While CNAP holds promise, its implementation faces hurdles. Telecom operators have flagged technical challenges, such as increased network load and compatibility issues with older devices, particularly for India’s large base of 2G feature phone users. Privacy concerns also loom large—stakeholders like the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) and the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) have warned that mandatory CNAP could infringe on subscriber autonomy, potentially exposing vulnerable individuals to harassment. TRAI’s opt-in approach and CLIR option aim to mitigate these risks, but the debate continues.
Impact of CNAP on Truecaller and Similar Apps
The introduction of TRAI’s CNAP service could significantly impact third-party caller identification apps like Truecaller, Whoscall, and others that have gained popularity in India due to the rampant issue of spam and scam calls. Here’s how CNAP might affect these services:
1. Reduced Dependence on Third-Party Apps
Currently, millions of users rely on Truecaller to identify unknown callers. However, Truecaller primarily depends on crowdsourced data, where users voluntarily share their contact lists, allowing the app to create a massive database of names linked to phone numbers. With CNAP offering an official, telecom-provider-verified caller name, many users may no longer feel the need to use Truecaller for basic caller identification.
2. Improved Accuracy and Credibility
One of the main drawbacks of Truecaller is that its data is often user-generated and sometimes incorrect. Many users complain that their numbers are labeled incorrectly due to being misidentified by previous owners or pranksters. Since CNAP will source names directly from telecom providers, its accuracy will be much higher, making it a more reliable and authoritative option compared to third-party apps.
3. Impact on Truecaller’s Business Model
Truecaller, which operates on a freemium model, offers free basic caller identification and premium features like ad-free experiences, live caller ID, spam call blocking, and business caller verification. If CNAP becomes widely adopted, Truecaller may see a decline in active users who primarily used the app for identifying unknown numbers.
However, spam filtering, business caller verification, and additional insights—which CNAP may not initially provide—could still be Truecaller’s strong selling points. The company might have to pivot towards offering enterprise solutions or advanced AI-driven spam detection to stay competitive.
4. Potential Privacy Benefits for Users
Many privacy advocates have criticized Truecaller for requiring access to users’ contacts, which means that even people who have never used Truecaller can have their numbers stored in the database. Since CNAP operates directly through telecom providers and does not rely on third-party data sharing, it respects user privacy more than apps that crowdsource caller data.
5. Competition Between CNAP and Truecaller
While CNAP will provide basic caller ID functionality, Truecaller has years of experience in offering additional features like spam call filtering, SMS spam detection, and call recording. Users who want advanced features beyond simple caller identification may still prefer using Truecaller.
However, if TRAI eventually integrates spam reporting features into CNAP, this could pose an even bigger challenge to Truecaller’s relevance in India.
Conclusion
CNAP represents a bold move by TRAI to tackle India’s spam call problem with a reliable, telecom-driven solution. By leveraging verified KYC data, it promises greater transparency and accountability, potentially reducing the reliance on less accurate third-party apps. As of March 30, 2025, the service is on the cusp of wider adoption, with trials paving the way for a phased rollout by major telecom providers like Jio, Airtel, and Vi. While the exact timeline for full implementation remains fluid, the coming months will be critical in shaping CNAP’s impact on India’s telecom ecosystem. For millions of users tired of incessant spam calls, this could finally bring some much-needed relief—provided the balance between innovation, privacy, and practicality is struck just right.
While CNAP will provide a more accurate and privacy-friendly way of identifying callers, Truecaller and similar apps might still retain users who need advanced spam filtering and additional call management features. However, if CNAP is rolled out effectively and integrates features like spam reporting and AI-based fraud detection, it could eventually replace the need for third-party caller ID apps in India.
Stay tuned for updates as this transformative service continues to evolve!
