Malaysia’s major mobile operators CelcomDigi Berhad, Maxis, U Mobile, Telekom Malaysia, and YTL Communications have joined forces to launch a federated network service aimed at tackling digital fraud and identity theft.
Through the GSMA Open Gateway initiative, these operators are deploying a Number Verification API, allowing banks and online businesses to authenticate users directly through secure mobile network data rather than SMS one-time passwords. This innovation strengthens customer protection against SIM-swap scams, phishing, and other digital fraud, while ensuring smoother user experiences.
For South Africa, this collaboration offers a powerful blueprint. Local mobile operators and financial institutions face escalating cyberattacks and identity theft, often exacerbated by fragmented efforts and slow regulatory alignment. The Malaysian model demonstrates how an entire telecom sector can collectively deploy a secure, interoperable API framework while safeguarding operator data, policy, and revenue integrity.
If replicated through a COMRiC-led partnership, a South African Federated Trust Network could close major gaps in digital verification, reduce online fraud losses estimated at over R5 billion annually and help restore confidence in mobile banking and e-commerce.
In a world where cybercrime moves faster than regulation, Malaysia’s initiative underscores what’s possible when industry collaboration replaces competition in the fight for digital trust. South Africa’s telecommunications leaders have the capability and responsibility — to make this next strategic leap.