In an effort to curb the rising problem of spam calls, telecom companies in India have begun trials of a Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) service in select regions. This initiative, driven by pressure from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to make it easier for users to identify and avoid unwanted calls.
Potential Benefits:
- Reduced Spam Calls: CNAP allows users to see the caller’s name alongside their phone number, potentially deterring spammers and scammers who rely on anonymity.
- No Third-Party Apps Needed: Successful implementation could eliminate the need for third-party caller identification applications.
Challenges and Concerns:
- Limited Testing: Currently, trials are limited to Mumbai and Haryana, with specific participating telecom companies remaining undisclosed.
- Telecom Opposition: Both Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have voiced concerns over CNAP implementation. Bharti Airtel highlighted potential privacy law compliance issues, while Reliance Jio expressed worries about increased network load and interconnection problems.
- Technical Hurdles: Widespread implementation hinges on the ability of handset manufacturers and software providers to handle large-scale caller information retrieval.
Privacy Considerations:
TRAI has proposed requiring telecom companies to compile a database of customer names and phone numbers to facilitate CNAP. This has raised concerns regarding user privacy, which Bharti Airtel acknowledged.
Alternative Suggestions:
Reliance Jio and Airtel have suggested offering CNAP as an opt-in feature, with mandatory activation for commercial and telemarketing numbers.
Overall, CNAP trials represent a potential step forward in the fight against spam calls. However, addressing the technical and privacy concerns raised by telecom companies will be crucial for its successful nationwide implementation.