A significant change is scheduled to occur nationwide tomorrow, November 1, 2026. Calls from unknown numbers will now show not only the number but also the name of the caller. The government has instructed telecom companies to roll out the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service. This enhancement will simplify the process of identifying incoming calls and assist in reducing spam or fraudulent calls.
This service will be automatically activated on 4G and 5G networks, so you won’t need to take any additional steps. However, older 2G and 3G networks will not support this feature just yet; a decision regarding that will be made in the future. This system will act as an alternative to third-party applications like Truecaller, which function within the phone.
How will CNAP function?
When you receive a call, your screen will display two pieces of information: the caller’s number and their name. If the number is saved in your contacts, that name will show up. If it’s not saved, the caller’s registered name will be fetched from the telecom company’s database. Calls originating from abroad will be marked as “International Call.”
Every telecom provider is required to maintain a secure database containing its customers’ names and numbers. When a call is received, the telecom company will access that database to retrieve the name and send it to your phone. Privacy measures have been strictly enforced. The name information will not be retained after the call concludes. Those who prefer to remain anonymous and have CLIR activated will not have their names displayed.
Every telecom provider is required to maintain a secure database containing its customers’ names and numbers. When a call is received, the telecom company will access that database to retrieve the name and send it to your phone. Privacy measures have been strictly enforced. The name information will not be retained after the call concludes. Those who prefer to remain anonymous and have CLIR activated will not have their names displayed.
What will be the benefit?
This will be a significant benefit to the general public. They will feel less hesitant to answer or disconnect calls from unknown numbers. The likelihood of fraudulent calls will also decrease as the name will be revealed. While there may be some glitches initially, the system will improve over time.