Singapore telcos join hands in implementing universal mobile-based authentication

M1, StarHub, and Singtel will adopt GDMA's Mobile Connect authentication standard.

Mobile subscribers in Singapore will be able to enjoy secured access to online services as the big telco players, M1, StarHub, and Singtel adopt the GSMA’s Mobile Connect authentication standard.

The Mobile Connect will free customers from having to manage multiple usernames and passwords for every online account. It was revealed by a study from GSMA that due to this tedious security process, 87% of consumers leave a website when asked to register.

"With Mobile Connect, mobile customers can look forward to creating a universal trusted digital identity for convenient and secure access to compatible telecommunications, banking, e-commerce, entertainment, government and travel services and applications," the telco players said in a joint statement.

The new security standard works as the interactive prompts enable users to easily confirm their identity using their mobile number, combined with a unique personal code for online transactions that require greater levels of security. The groups assured that no information will be made available to online service providers without users’ permission.

"To drive rollout and adoption, M1, Singtel and StarHub are building a unified platform to enable easy integration with online service providers through a common Mobile Connect Application Programme Interface (API)," they explained.

Rollout of the service will commence on the second half of 2017.