GSMA announced today that currently, 17 mobile network operators (MNOs) have launched Mobile Connect services in 13 countries since the last Mobile World Congress (MWC) in 2014, and plans to launch more connect beta trials in all major regions in 2015.
According to the GSMA, Etisalat Group has enabled Mobile Connect in eight markets in Africa, which are: Benin, Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Niger, Nigeria, Togo and Tanzania. Launches in other markets include: Bangladesh by Robi, in China with China Mobile and China Unicom, in Indonesia with Indosat, Telkomsel and XL Axiata, in Malaysia with DiGi, and in Sri Lanka with Dialog Axiata and Mobitel.
“Mobile Connect is designed to simplify consumers’ lives by offering a single, trusted, mobile phone-based authentication solution that addresses the vulnerability of online passwords, while also respecting online privacy,” said Anne Bouverot, Director General, GSMA. “The industry has made important progress in rolling out the service around the world, giving users control over their own data and enabling consumers, businesses and governments alike to interact and access online services in a convenient, private, and trusted environment.”
The GSMA also revealed that they are working closely with operators globally to support further Mobile Connect deployments. Operators committed to launch include Grameenphone (Bangladesh), Bouygues Telecom and Orange (France), Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone (Germany), Telecom Italia and Vodafone (Italy), Telenor (Pakistan), Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone (Spain), Swisscom (Switzerland) and Vodafone (UK).
According to Orange, it is also committed to launch the Mobile Connect service in Belgium, Poland, Romania and throughout the Orange footprint in the Middle East and Africa. Etisalat, Ooredoo, STC and Zain will collaborate to launch Mobile Connect throughout the Middle East and North Africa region and across their markets.
The GSMA’s Mobile Connect service enables customers to create and manage a universal identity that is well secured and authentic, allowing them to safely access mobile and digital services such as e-commerce, banking, health and digital entertainment, as well as e-government portals, via their mobile phones.
