CRA’s New Caller ID Plan Fights Fraud, Protects You
▼ Summary
– Qatar’s Communications Regulatory Authority has launched the first phase of the Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) initiative with Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar to protect consumers and reduce fraudulent calls.
– The service displays the official registered name of legal entities calling local mobile numbers, helping recipients identify trusted calls and avoid impersonation scams.
– This initiative is part of CRA’s strategy to enhance telecom security and support Qatar National Vision 2030, with automatic enrollment for entities and an opt-out option in the second phase.
– CNAP applies only to domestic calls from legal entities and will not cover international calls, roaming, or calls from residential and personal numbers.
– The implementation has already contributed to a more than 50% reduction in fraud complaints, and CRA will continue working with providers to strengthen consumer protection measures.
A new initiative from the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), in partnership with Ooredoo Qatar and Vodafone Qatar, is introducing Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) to help consumers identify legitimate callers and reduce fraudulent activity. This service will display the official registered name of calling organizations directly on recipients’ screens, allowing individuals to quickly distinguish between trustworthy and suspicious calls before answering.
During the initial phase, CNAP will be activated for all fixed and mobile voice calls placed by legal entities within Qatar to local mobile numbers. This includes calls originating from government ministries, private corporations, non-profit groups, educational and healthcare facilities, associations, and financial institutions like banks. The service forms part of a broader national effort developed by CRA alongside telecom providers and various local sector authorities to increase confidence in phone communications and combat scams where criminals impersonate legitimate organizations.
By enabling call recipients to see the verified name of the calling entity in real time, the system helps protect users from fraudsters who often pose as trusted organizations to steal sensitive personal or financial data. This added layer of identification supports informed decisions about whether to accept or decline incoming calls.
Engineer Ahmad bin Abdulla AlMuslemani, President of the CRA, emphasized that requiring telecom providers to implement CNAP establishes a foundation for secure and reliable communication across Qatar. He noted that the CRA will keep collaborating with stakeholders to create innovative digital solutions that foster a safer telecommunications environment. He also highlighted that this effort aligns with the CRA’s strategic goals to safeguard consumers and support a proactive regulatory approach, furthering the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030.
Sheikh Ali bin Jabor bin Mohammad Al Thani, CEO of Ooredoo Qatar, expressed pride in participating in the joint initiative, which supports national development of the telecommunications sector. He stated that Ooredoo Qatar integrates the latest technology to prioritize customer interests, and this program represents a core component of the company’s mission.
Echoing this sentiment, Sheikh Hamad Abdulla Jassim Al Thani, CEO of Vodafone Qatar, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Qatar’s digital transformation in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. He described CNAP implementation as a reflection of Vodafone Qatar’s dedication to customer safety, secure communication, and regulatory compliance.
The rollout will occur in two stages. The first phase activates the service for all local fixed-line numbers of legal entities, while the second phase will extend coverage to all local mobile numbers assigned to these organizations. Enrollment is automatic, though entities will have an option to opt out during the second phase for mobile numbers not intended for public communication, subject to specific conditions.
It is important to note that CNAP will not apply to international calls, calls received by users while roaming abroad, or outgoing calls from residential landlines and personal mobile numbers. The CRA has worked extensively with Ooredoo Qatar, Vodafone Qatar, and other relevant bodies to ensure the service is implemented securely and in full compliance with approved regulatory standards.
Due to current technical constraints, the caller’s name will appear in English, based on the entity’s officially registered name, with a maximum of 25 characters displayed. If a recipient has saved a contact name for the number on their device, that saved name will take precedence over the CNAP display.
This initiative is one of several launched by the CRA to enhance consumer protection and telecommunications services. The CRA has previously directed both service providers to adopt technical measures to fight telecom fraud, including caller ID spoofing and SMS sender name spoofing. These directives have already contributed to a more than 50% reduction in complaints about fraudulent calls, demonstrating the effectiveness of such interventions.
The CRA plans to continue its close collaboration with telecom providers and other entities to strengthen these protective measures and ensure ongoing security for consumers against fraudulent telecommunications activities.
(Source: MEA Tech Watch)
