Mobile operators to launch GSMA mobile connect service

Leading Sri Lankan mobile operators Dialog Axiata and Mobitel will launch a beta trial of the GSMA Mobile Connect service that will allow consumers to access a wide array of digital services by using their smartphones and feature phones as devices for authentication.

The service will be launched with select Sri Lankan online service providers including Kapruka, MyDeal and WoWand and will be made available to subscribers by the end of June.

Leading SIM technology providers such as Gemalto, Giesecke and Devrient, Morpho, OberthurTechnologies and Valid are working with the GSMA and mobile operators to develop authentication applets to accelerate the widespread deployment of Mobile Connect services.

"Consumers are increasingly concerned over the security of their digital identity and mobile operators are ideally positioned to enable consumers to manage this by ensuring they can interact and access services in a private, trusted and secure way," said Director General, GSMA, Anne Bouverot.

"Dialog Axiata is honoured to be a partner in the first beta launch of GSMA Mobile Connect, alongside Mobitel and leading service providers from Sri Lanka's digital services eco-system," said Group Chief Executive of Dialog Axiata Sri Lanka and Axiata Group Digital Services, Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya.

"Mobitel is pleased to cooperate with Dialog and renowned service providers for another world's first, enabled by GSMA. The launch by Mobitel and Dialog marks the first implementation of the Mobile Connect service anywhere in the world and demonstrates interoperability of services across operators," said CEO, Mobitel, Kapila Chandrasena.

The Sri Lankan launch marks the first implementation of the Mobile Connect service anywhere in the world and demonstrates interoperability of services across operators and with the support of major SIM technology providers paves the way for further launches of the Mobile Connect service over the next year.

The Etisalat Group is expected to launch Mobile Connect services in the third quarter of 2014, and in line with their commitments to provide customers with the highest possible level of security.