Motive and Telefónica have demonstrated a successful proof of concept (PoC) for phone number verification using the GSMA Open Gateway’s Number Verification API. The demonstration, showcased at the Google Cloud booth during Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2025, presents an authentication method that eliminates the need for SMS one-time passwords, building on Telefónica’s recent authentication partnerships with Google and TikTok.
The PoC implementation used Motive Entitlement Server and Telefónica Spain’s infrastructure to implement the Open Gateway Number verification CAMARA API with TS.43 Operator Token authentication. The service integrates with Google’s Firebase phone number verification service, enabling SIM-based authentication through secure tokens. The approach represents a significant advancement in mobile authentication, moving beyond traditional SMS-based verification methods that can be vulnerable to interception and fraud.
“Security and simplicity are the core of our digital transformation,” said Alexandre Harmand, Head of Networks at Telefónica. “Through number verification for authentication, we enhance user trust, reduce fraud, and improve the overall authentication experience for customers.”
“This joint effort reinforces our leadership in Entitlement services,” said Jeevithan Muttu, VP Product and R&D at Motive. “Operators can unlock new revenue streams through seamless app authentication as well as RCS enablement and secure business messaging.”
The GSMA Open Gateway Initiative has gained significant traction in the telecommunications industry, with major operators worldwide implementing anti-fraud measures through the platform. As of February 2025, 72 mobile operators have committed to implementing GSMA Open Gateway APIs, representing approximately 80 percent of mobile market share by connections, an increase from 65 percent in June 2024. Security protection and fraud mitigation applications have emerged as the primary use cases for these APIs.
Motive brings extensive experience in Entitlement functions and device management, with over 150 global deployments and more than 1 billion devices under management. The company specializes in helping operators manage devices across fixed, mobile, and IoT networks.
Telefónica, a global telecommunications provider, maintains operations in 17 countries and serves 356 million customers worldwide. The company delivers differentiated experiences that match its corporate values and customer-centric approach. The latest demonstration reinforces Telefónica’s commitment to advancing secure authentication methods, following its recent initiatives in implementing network-based verification solutions.
Sources: Business Wire, Financial Post, Ritzau, VanillaPlus
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