Kuala lumpur: CelcomDigi Bhd, Maxis Bhd, U Mobile Sdn Bhd, Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM), and YTL Communications Sdn Bhd today announced plans to provide banks and online retailers with federated access to the Number Verification application programming interface (API) to combat fraud and digital identity theft. The Federated Open Gateway helps developers build services interoperable with every participating operator, while providing an interface, interoperability, and cross-market coverage.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the telcos stated in a joint release that the initiative was unveiled at the Digital Nation Summit, Kuala Lumpur ASEAN Edition. It is part of the GSMA Open Gateway programme, which enables developers to build services that can work across all participating operators while allowing each operator to retain control of its data, policies, and revenue. This allows companies to easily connect their platforms to the rich functionality within mobile operator networks.

The Number Verification API is seen as a secure alternative to SMS one-time passwords by verifying a mobile user’s identity against real-time network data, protecting Malaysians against scams while ensuring seamless digital experiences. CelcomDigi acting chief executive officer (CEO) Albern Murty, Maxis CEO Goh Seow Eng, U Mobile chief information officer Neil Tomkinson, TM Group CEO Amar Huzaimi Md Deris, and YTL Communications CEO Wing K Lee expressed support for the collaboration, stressing the importance of industry-wide cooperation to strengthen digital trust and security.

According to GSMA Head of Asia Pacific Julian Gorman, the initiative forms part of a global programme involving 79 operator groups, covering 291 networks and nearly 80 per cent of mobile connections worldwide.