Major Telecom Update: Caller Names to Appear on Mobile Phones Starting November 1
From November 1, mobile users will see caller names alongside numbers, enhancing communication transparency in India.
New Delhi, October 15 (Daily Kiran) : The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced that all telecom operators must implement Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service across their networks starting November 1, 2026. This new feature will allow mobile users to see the name of the caller along with the phone number when receiving incoming calls.
According to government guidelines, telecom service providers have already tested the CNAP service on wireless terrestrial networks operating on 4G and higher technologies. Eligible users will automatically receive this feature without needing to make a separate request.
The implementation of CNAP for 2G, 3G, and Public Switched Telephone Networks will be evaluated separately at a later date. Under the new system, the caller’s name will become part of the Calling Line Identification (CLI). Currently, only the phone number is visible to the recipient.
With this update, the recipient’s mobile phone will display two pieces of information in the CLI: the caller’s phone number and their name. The name shown will depend on whether the caller’s number is saved in the recipient’s contact list. If the number is saved, the stored name will appear. If not, for domestic calls, the name will be displayed based on the information in the telecom operator’s subscriber database. International calls will simply be identified as “International Call.”
This initiative is in accordance with Rule 48(1) of the Telecommunications (Authorization of Principal Telecommunications Services) Rules, 2026. Under this rule, authorized entities must ensure secure display of calling line identification and prevent any tampering.
To safeguard user privacy and network security, telecom operators must adopt a ‘security-by-design’ approach. The guidelines specify that the information used to retrieve the caller’s name must not be retained after the call ends.
Operators are also required to ensure that their networks, databases, and connectivity infrastructure can efficiently process CNAP-related requests without compromising service quality.
In a move to accommodate businesses and high-volume callers, the guidelines permit them to display a preferred name instead of the name registered in the subscriber record. However, this name must be a registered trademark or a business name listed on the Goods and Services Tax (GST) portal.
