The Department of Telecommunications has directed all telecom companies to implement a system that displays the caller's name alongside their phone number on the receiver's mobile screen beginning November 1. This October 13 directive concerning the calling name presentation service applies to every operator holding a license or authorization to provide access services across all designated service areas.
Under this updated protocol, incoming domestic calls will present both the numeric identifier and the identity of the person calling. If the person receiving the call has already stored the telephone number in their personal contact book, that specific stored name will be visible on the display. When the number is not saved in the device, the screen will show the official name registered in the caller's operator records.
For calls originating internationally, the mobile screen will display the designation International Call instead of a subscriber name. Major telecom service providers including Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea have already conducted trials to introduce this name presentation service within wireless terrestrial networks. The initial rollout will encompass fourth-generation and higher-generation wireless networks, while the government evaluates expanding the facility to cover second-generation, third-generation, and landline networks at a later date.
To facilitate the service, every telecom provider is required to maintain a current database connecting subscriber names to their respective phone numbers. When a call connects, the network of the receiving party queries the operator database of the caller in real time to fetch the registered identity. The directive mandates that operators adhere to a security-by-design framework, meaning they must immediately delete fetched names once a call ends without retaining the data, and ensure their networks handle lookups efficiently without degrading call quality.
Business entities and holders of bulk mobile connections are given the option to display a preferred name instead of the one listed in official operator records. However, this chosen identifier must strictly match a trademark registered under the subscriber's name or a verified trade name on the Goods and Services Tax portal. Individuals who have chosen calling line identification restriction will be exempt from having their names displayed.
Operators are also required to establish a structured mechanism to receive and address complaints related to the calling name presentation service within a designated timeframe. This circular is issued following formal recommendations submitted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India on February 23, 2024.