Caller ID vs CNAM – What’s the Difference?

Understanding the differences between caller ID and CNAM technologies is crucial in the world of telecommunication. It directly impacts your phone services and the information you receive about incoming calls. Thus, any business operator must learn about Caller ID and CNAM. 

Caller ID and CNAM both allow the recipient of a phone call to see who is calling before picking up the phone, a feature that is not just helpful but crucial in today’s communication. These two systems are great ways to get insight into pre-call identification, yet they are different, and people get confused about them. 

So, let’s get detailed information about Caller ID vs CNAM. 

What is Caller ID?

Caller ID, or Caller Identification, is a telephone service that provides your phone number to the call recipient when you call them. The feature displays the incoming caller’s phone number and sometimes name presentation before the call is answered. 

Caller ID is part of a modern cloud-based business phone system that provides users with valuable information about who calls them. Mostly, it grants users correct information but sometimes misguides them with incorrect information. 

Caller ID uses online databases and caller Identification tech to identify callers before anyone picks up. It consists of a 10-digit phone number or fifteen characters for a name. 

How does Caller ID work?

When you make an outbound call, your number is sent to the receiver’s service provider. Then, with your phone number, your Caller ID or Name(if available) is searched by the receiver’s phone service provider and displayed on the call. 

Note: Caller ID does not display on the first and second rings of the phone call. It may not show up if the receiver picks up the call instantly. 

Advantages of having Caller ID

Identification: Caller ID allows the call recipient to see and recognize the calling party’s phone number before they answer. This helps the receiver to identify whether the call is important or not. 

Security: Caller ID helps to recognize the numbers by displaying them in the receiver device, which can eliminate unwanted or scam calls. This enhances the security and privacy of the person or business. 

Efficiency: Caller ID can significantly increase the efficiency and productivity of any business. It prioritizes the important calls that need to be answered first and eliminates the number of ghost calls. 

What is CNAM?

CNAM stands for Caller ID Name. It provides the name presentation of the party originating the phone call. CNAM database provides the Caller’s name along with the recipient’s phone number. This feature collects information and a database by the telephone company or service provider, where names are registered with telephone numbers, and synchronizes the data with caller and recipient. 

It makes it easy for the call recipient to ensure that they only receive the necessary call, and the calling party is important. However, several numbers of CNAM are available to phone providers. Thus, displayed on the call information can vary depending on who receives the call and their phone service provider. 

Furthermore, this feature only works if both you and the person you are contacting are registered in the telephone network systems. If the person you contact is not registered in the telephone network system, your normal number identification will appear.

How does CNAM work?

Firstly, you need to enter your information into the CNAM database. Then, when you make a call, the numbers are searched through the CNAM database, and if a name is registered under that number in the Telephone network system, the receiver’s device will display the corresponding name alongside the caller ID number. This feature helps you accept only important calls and eliminate scam calls, which safeguards your virtual phone number scams. It works on both landline phones and cell phones. 

Advantages of CNAM technologies

Enhanced information: CNAM is a better option for your business as it displays the caller number and the caller name registered under the caller number. These additional features help people to recognize the contacts more precisely. 

Professionalism: CNAM helps businesses enhance professionalism by displaying the company name along with the company number when making a call to clients or leads. This can increase the brand reputation and make your company look trustworthy and reliable. 

Improve customer experience: when your company makes Outbound calls to some clients and leads, they are more likely to answer the call if they see an official business name presentation in the Caller ID Name. CNAM brings comfort and trust to people before answering a call, and they will respond to your call positively.

Trust building: CNAM can build trust for the customer as they can see the business name in calls also. This makes them feel they are dealing with a legitimate company and increases the call answer rate. 

Limitations of CNAM

Limited characters: CNAM can display only 15 characters, including space. You can include a name that consists of only 15 characters as a Caller ID Name. 

Inaccurate or missing information: It relies on a CNAM database that matches phone numbers with corresponding names. It can display inaccurate or missing information, affecting the caller identification process. 

Coverage restriction: CNAM identification is limited to calls terminating in the US and parts of Europe and Canada. It does not match the global coverage level of the Caller ID or Local Caller ID. 

Delay in updates: CNAM listing changes can take up to 48 hours to reflect accurately. This delay can impact the timeliness and accuracy of caller identification for businesses and individuals.

Caller ID vs CNAM: Key Differences 

Conclusion 

CNAM and Caller ID are two similar technologies used in the telecommunication sector to identify callers based on their Caller ID and Caller ID Name. Caller ID primarily provides the recipient’s phone number, acknowledging whether to answer the call or not. Further, it’s useful for managing and ensuring effective communication and providing customers with better service. 

In contrast, Caller ID Name(CNAM) makes this feature more beneficial by adding the name of the brand or personal name, i.e., the associated name presentation with the Caller ID in the service provider. It is for businesses that want to appear legitimate and build trust with their clients and leads. Leveraging CNAM can make your business look professional and improve call management, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction.  

FAQs

Can toll-free numbers have CNAM data?

No, you cannot have CNAM on toll-free numbers. This feature only works with local numbers, which is also called 10-digit phone numbers. 

Can caller ID information be fake?

Yes, with internet calling technology, Caller ID is likely to spoof and camouflage. This feature gives you just a context as to who is trying to contact you, and the key thing to remember is that Caller ID is the feature that confirms Caller’s Identity. 

How many characters can CNAM support? 

CNAM can support up to 15 characters, including space, letters, numbers, and punctuation. 

Does CNAM replace the Caller ID?

No, CNAM complements the Caller ID. While caller ID displays the number, CNAM provides the associated name, which gives the recipient information about the Caller’s name and number combined.