In telecommunications, CNAP stands for Calling Name Presentation, a network-based service that displays the registered name of the incoming caller on the recipient’s device screen, in addition to the phone numbers.
This enhances caller identification and helps combat spam, scams, and impersonation by providing verified information directly from telecom operator records, rather than relying on third-party apps or crowd-sourced data.
How CNAP Works
• Data Source: The caller’s name is pulled from official customer records, such as the Customer Acquisition Form (CAF) or KYC (Know Your Customer) details submitted during SIM activation or subscription. This ensures the information is accurate and verified by the telecom provider.
• Network Integration: It’s embedded in the telecom network, so it functions automatically without needing internet access, app downloads, or battery drain—unlike consumer apps. When a call is placed, the originating network queries the terminating network (the recipient’s carrier) to retrieve and display the name in real-time.
• Privacy and Opt-Out: Users can often opt out or block name display for privacy reasons, showing “Private,” “Restricted,” or “Unavailable” instead. In some implementations, it’s optional and may incur a small fee.
• Technical Standards: CNAP builds on existing Caller ID (CLI) protocols like SS7 (Signaling System No. 7) or SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) in modern VoIP networks, with name data stored in databases like CNAM (Caller Name Delivery) in the US.
Global and Regional Context
• United States: CNAP is closely related to CNAM (Caller Name Delivery), a standard feature in landline and mobile networks since the 1990s. It’s regulated by the FCC and provided by carriers like AT&T or Verizon, though accuracy can vary due to database updates.
• India: As of late 2025, CNAP is gaining major traction. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Department of Telecommunications (DoT) approved its nationwide rollout by March 31, 2026, following successful pilots in states like Haryana and Himachal Pradesh by operators including Jio, Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL. Trials began in November 2025 to test integration and reduce fraud, with full deployment expected by April 2026. This addresses rising scam calls, where over 1.4 million complaints were reported in India in 2024 alone.
• Other Regions: Similar services exist globally, such as in Qatar (via the Communications Regulatory Authority) or parts of Europe under GDPR-compliant frameworks, often as an add-on to basic Caller ID.