2 December, 2016
Singapore consumers will soon be able to use their mobile phones to identify themselves online under a project run by the country's three mobile operators.
M1, SingTel and StarHub plan to adopt the GSMA's Mobile Connect authentication standard which allows users to confirm their identity during online transactions using their mobile number combined with a unique personal code, they said in a statement.
Users create a single identity through the Mobile Connect system which is then used as a means of authentication for access to online services, including banking, health and government services. It removes the need for consumers to remember and input personal login details each time they wish to access those services. No information is passed to the online service provider without the users' permission, the telcos said.
"Accepting Mobile Connect logins will benefit online service providers too. They will be able to offer simpler sign ups, reduce customer frustration and abandoned transactions due to authentication issues, and increase the likelihood of repeat business," they said.
According to the GSMA, 87% of consumers leave a website when asked to register, and 40% use the 'forgot password' feature monthly, the statement said.
Mobile Connect is currently available in 22 countries.
M1, Singtel and StarHub will build a platform to make it easy to integrate with online service providers through a common Mobile Connect Application Programme Interface (API). They expect to announce the first wave of supported online services in the second half of 2017, they said.
Mobile Connect is currently being trialled in the UK by O2 and Vodafone.
For further information, please contact:
Ian Laing, Partner, Pinsent Masons
ian.laing@pinsentmasons.com
