Singapore – Telecommunications firm Singtel has recently announced its strategic collaboration with ASEAN telecommunications companies AIS and Maxis, introducing network-based authentication for mobile subscribers in Thailand and Malaysia.
This initiative will leverage the company’s SingVerify to authenticate digital identities registered on consumer services or platforms against telco data. The solution will also help in mitigating the incidence of illegal account takeovers and unauthorised transactions that result from phishing and malware app scams.
Moreover, it will allow a smoother multi-factor authentication process as consumers’ digital identities are verified instantly and directly between the telco and service providers.
In particular, the two APIs that will be first federated by AIS and Maxis include Number Verify, an application that validates customers’ identities by matching their phone numbers with their registered account details on the service provider’s platform, and Device Location.
The agreement was formalised at the Digital Nation Summit Singapore on July 25, 2024, which was attended and inked by Lee Kwang Yong, vice president, enterprise products at Singtel Singapore; Asnee Wipatawate, head of enterprise telecom technology product department at AIS; and Irfan Zainudin, head of advanced analytics and insights, enterprise at Maxis.
Ng Tian Chong, chief executive officer at Singtel Singapore, explained, “The rise of e-commerce in the region has opened more avenues for digital fraud, significantly impacting consumers and businesses. Together with AIS and Maxis, we can combat this rising digital fraud and protect our customers more effectively.”
“Tapping into our telco data and collective expertise, we will be able to seamlessly authenticate, protect, and mitigate financial fraud so our customers across Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia can enjoy a safe digital lifestyle. We will continue to lead the charge against digital fraud and encourage more MNOS to come onboard to build a stronger defence for all,” he added.
Asnee Wipatawate, head of enterprise telecom technology product department at AIS, also said, “This partnership marks a significant milestone in our commitment to safeguarding our customers and the digital ecosystem. By combining our expertise and resources with Singtel and Maxis, we are creating a powerful platform that will enhance trust and security for businesses and consumers across Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore.”
Asnee further continued, “The joint Number Verification API will provide businesses and platforms with a robust tool to domestically and regionally authenticate user identities through real-time phone number verification. By leveraging the combined strengths of those telcos, the API will offer a comprehensive and secure solution to protect against a wide range of fraudulent activities, including account takeovers and phishing attacks.”
“The Number Verification API will be available to businesses across multiple industries, including financial services, e-commerce, and online gaming. By integrating this API into their systems, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of fraud and enhance customer trust,” she elaborated.
Interestingly, Goh Seow Eng, chief executive officer at Maxis, said, “As Malaysia’s leading integrated telco, we provide fast, reliable, and secure connectivity that meets the needs of customers. This collaboration protects customers against online threat actors so they can progress on their digital transformation journey with peace of mind.”
Also speaking about the initiative, Julian Gorman, head of Asia Pacific at the GSMA, stated, “I’m delighted three of Asia’s most innovative mobile operators have come together, through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, to tackle online fraud and help increase consumer trust in new digital services across Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Fraudulent attacks can have a profound impact on victims, including financial losses and distress, resulting in a degradation of trust in digital platforms. Cybercriminals operate beyond national borders, so it’s vital that mobile operators and developers of digital services unify behind a common approach to fraud prevention wherever they are in the world.”
Dr. Ong Geok Chwee, CEO at Bridge Alliance, also said, “Bridge Alliance has been working closely with our member operators and industry partners to advance regional telco API federation, building on the momentum of the GSMA’s Open Gateway framework and CAMARA API standards.”
“With the newly launched Bridge Alliance API exchange BAEx, our alliance has a timely opportunity now to lead the charge in serving the needs of enterprises in areas leveraging telco assets, such as network-based authentication. We are excited to witness the spirit of collaboration between our members and look forward to working with more members to accelerate telco API exposure and unlock the value of our telco capabilities,” he concluded.
