Callers should have their names shown on the receiver during a regular call, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended, adding that the feature should be available as an option.
The feature is called Calling Name Presentation (CNAP). TRAI is keen to have it across the Indian telecommunication network and on all devices sold in India, according to a report published by The Hindustan Times.
The telecoms regulator has suggested that companies like Airtel or Jio must do a trial and assessment in one licensed service area (LSA) with the subscriber base of each TSP in that LSA.
The name, the regulator added, should be the one used at the time of registering the number.
If the person’s name has changed since getting the phone number, Trai suggested that the Department of Telecommunications issue guidelines to TSPs to amend the names using “verifiable identity documents issued by the government”.
For bulk connections, TRAI desires subscribers to have the option to display their preferred name, which must be registered with the government. According to the HT report, it could be a trademark name on the records of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, or the trade name registered with the GST Council.
For telemarketers allocated the 140 series, TRAI wants the name displayed to the called party.
A Truecaller spokesperson was quoted as saying: “With regards to CNAP, we do not see that it would be a competitive service comparable to the full range of services and functionality that Truecaller offers to our more than 374 million users.
“With our technology and Al capabilities, Truecaller goes beyond just providing a basic number identification service. We believe that the current TRAI recommendations can even be a driving catalyst for our continued growth in India, as more people discover our offerings.”
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