Mobile users in India are poised to receive relief from incessant spam calls. Soon, reliance on third-party apps like Truecaller may become unnecessary. Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea (Vi) are collaborating to launch a built-in caller ID service. This new service will display the caller's name on the mobile screen, enabling users to identify and avoid unwanted and spam calls. To achieve this, the telecom companies have partnered with major tech companies including HP, Dell, Ericsson, and Nokia.
How will the built-in caller ID work?
This service will function similarly to Truecaller, displaying the caller's name on the mobile screen. Utilizing CNAP (Calling Name Presentation) technology, whenever a user receives a call, the name of the caller, as registered with the telecom company, will be displayed on the screen.
Initially, however, this feature will only be available within the same telecom network. For example, a Jio user will see the caller's name if the call originates from another Jio number. However, the feature will not work for calls from Airtel or Vi numbers. Currently, the government hasn't permitted telecom companies to share customer data amongst themselves, making cross-network identification impossible at this stage.
Technology in the trial stage
According to media reports, telecom companies have ordered the necessary equipment to implement the CNAP service. Trials are underway in various parts of the country. Once the technology becomes fully stable and reliable, it will be rolled out nationwide. However, this feature will only be available to smartphone users and will not function on feature phones.
TRAI recommended CNAP implementation
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) recommended the implementation of the CNAP service for all smartphone users in February 2023. TRAI urged the government to make it mandatory for telecom companies. The arrival of this service is expected to rid mobile users of spam calls, allowing them to easily identify whether a call is necessary or not.
Will the need for Truecaller disappear?
The introduction of the built-in caller ID service could significantly reduce the need for apps like Truecaller. However, Truecaller's strength lies in its ability to display caller names not only from telecom company registrations but also from data linked to social media and other platforms. CNAP will currently be limited to telecom company data, therefore the complete cessation of Truecaller usage is unlikely.
This new initiative by telecom companies will provide significant relief to mobile users, offering respite from the nuisance of spam calls. The speed and scale of this service's implementation remain to be seen.
