DoT Pushes Rapid Caller ID Rollout; 2G Users Left Behind
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has intensified efforts to roll out the Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) service across India, aimed at displaying caller names on phone screens to curb rising instances of phone fraud and spam. The initial phase of the rollout will focus on subscribers using 4G and 5G networks, leaving 2G users to wait due to technical limitations.
Telecom operators have been directed to complete CNAP inter-operator trials and submit their performance reports by April 18. Pilot tests are already underway in states like Haryana and Maharashtra. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel have successfully conducted their trials, while Vodafone Idea (Vi) is expected to begin testing in Ambala shortly.
However, 2G users will not immediately benefit from this upgrade. Operators like Airtel and Vi have acknowledged that their 2G network infrastructure lacks compatibility with CNAP. The aging hardware used in 2G networks cannot support the required updates without significant overhauls or replacement, making the rollout technically and financially challenging.
To facilitate the CNAP implementation, Airtel and Vi have partnered with Nokia for the deployment of IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technology, which is essential for enabling services like CNAP and call analytics, including spam call detection. Reliance Jio, which operates exclusively on 4G and 5G networks, has built its CNAP solution in-house and is better positioned to deploy the service on a wider scale.
The government is optimistic that CNAP will help mitigate fraudulent calls by allowing users to see the caller’s name, bringing greater transparency and safety to mobile communication. While the service promises immediate benefits to users on advanced networks, the delay in its availability for 2G subscribers highlights the need for accelerated network modernization across the telecom sector.
