Telecom Operators Expanded Global Identity Verification
The GSMA Open Gateway initiative has now standardized network-level authentication across 65 global markets.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Telecommunications
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Telecom operators have expanded the deployment of network-based digital identity verification services through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative. This standardized framework now covers 80 percent of global mobile connections, providing alternatives to traditional SMS-based security.
Why it matters
Banks and digital platforms are increasingly adopting these network APIs to counter rising rates of SIM-swap fraud and account takeovers. These tools allow for more reliable authentication by verifying device ownership directly through mobile network data.
Meta reported that its Number Verification service achieves conversion rates of 80 to 95 percent, significantly outperforming the 60 to 75 percent range seen with traditional SMS-based one-time passwords.
The players
GSMA
An industry organization representing mobile network operators worldwide that coordinates infrastructure and security standards.
A technology company integrating mobile network identity verification into its Firebase app development platform.
Airtel Business
An enterprise-focused telecommunications provider that recently launched the IQ Gateway for digital identity services.
Meta
A global technology company that utilizes mobile network verification to improve user account security and authentication conversion.
Orange France
A major telecommunications provider in Europe that has integrated network APIs into the Google Firebase developer ecosystem.
The details
The GSMA Open Gateway project exposes network capabilities through standardized application programming interfaces (APIs) — software pathways that allow different applications to communicate. Number Verification works by checking if a mobile number corresponds to the device currently being authenticated by an application. This network-level verification aims to eliminate the need for interceptable codes, which are frequently exploited in SIM-swap fraud.
Timeline
February 2026: Polish operators announced collaboration on network API standards.
March 2026: 86 operator groups aligned with the GSMA Open Gateway initiative.
May 2026: Orange France announced Firebase network capability availability.
September 28, 2026: Google expanded Firebase Phone Number Verification to 10 additional carrier networks.
October 5, 2026: Airtel Business launched the Airtel IQ Gateway platform.
The Tech Race
The GSMA Open Gateway initiative provides a common framework for operators to expose network capabilities, contrasting with earlier, fragmented approaches that required custom integrations for every individual carrier. This shift signifies the move toward a unified global standard for network-level identity authentication.
Users will likely experience faster and more secure login flows on mobile applications as companies transition from SMS codes to network-level verification. This change is currently rolling out through major platforms like Google Firebase, making secure authentication a background process that requires no manual code entry.
The takeaway
The transition from SMS to network-verified authentication is accelerating as a primary defense against account takeover fraud. Watch for further carrier integrations with large developer ecosystems like Firebase to gauge the speed of adoption in your specific region.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in mobile infrastructure at Telecommunications.
More information
Review available enterprise solutions on the Airtel business services portal.
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Do you trust your mobile operator to use your personal data to help detect online fraud?
