Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica Deutschland and Vodafone Deutschland plan to introduce the GSMA Mobile Connect service this year.
The Mobile Connect service enables users to access their online accounts conveniently and securely, without having to enter user names and passwords.
With Mobile Connect, customers of the three network operators will soon need only their mobile phone and its number in order to log in to digital services and websites.
The Verimi identity and data platform will be the first major technology platform partner in Germany to also offer the Mobile Connect service.
Starting this year, mobile customers in Germany will be able to log in to many online portals without entering a Google or Facebook password.
Upon reaching a login page – such as that of Verimi – the user initiates the login process by entering his or her mobile number. A text message (SMS) is then sent to his or her mobile phone. The text message contains a link via which the user, on his mobile device, confirms receipt of the message and allows the network operator to transmit an encrypted, pseudonymized customer reference number to the portal/service operator. This number authenticates the customer to the portal/service operator, and the customer receives access, without having to enter a password.
Alex Sinclair, CTO, GSMA
By offering Mobile Connect, mobile network operators are taking an important step in the area of digital identification, and are giving users greater control over their own data. With the service, users, businesses and government agencies can interact conveniently in private and trustworthy environments.
Dirk Backofen, Head of Telekom Security
Password theft is now occurring on an enormous scale. With Mobile Connect and Verimi, we will be able to offer greater security and convenience in cyberspace. At the same time, we will ensure that our customers' digital identities stay within the EU's judicial area and enjoy the full degree of security provided by German data privacy laws.
