IBM Consulting joining GSMA Open Gateway shows network APIs moving closer to fraud prevention workflows such as SIM swap, number verification, and device checks.
Mobile identity is moving beyond one-time codes. In August 2026, IBM Consulting joined the GSMA Open Gateway initiative as a channel partner, adding another large enterprise services provider to the push for standardized telecom APIs. Coverage reports said the initiative now involves more than 300 mobile networks and reaches more than 80 percent of mobile connections.
The important part for fraud teams is the type of signals being standardized. GSMA Open Gateway and CAMARA APIs cover use cases such as number verification, device location verification, and SIM swap detection. Those signals can help platforms decide whether a login, withdrawal, password reset, or new-device enrollment deserves extra friction.
Why SIM swap signals matter
A SIM swap can let an attacker intercept SMS messages after convincing a carrier to move a number to a new SIM or device. CAMARA's SIM Swap API is designed to let an application check whether a phone number has had a recent SIM swap, either by returning a timestamp or a yes-or-no response for a defined window.
That does not replace SMS OTP overnight. It adds context. A normal login from a familiar device can stay simple. A password reset immediately after a recent SIM swap should face stronger checks. A high-value transaction from a new device may need passkey, document, support, or waiting-period controls.
BillioPlus angle
For BillioPlus customers, the direction is clear: phone numbers remain useful, but phone-number trust should become more dynamic. A number is not equally trustworthy in every situation. Network APIs can help distinguish routine verification from risky recovery or account-change attempts.
- Use SMS OTP for reach and onboarding speed.
- Add SIM swap checks for account recovery and high-value changes.
- Use number verification when the app session and phone number should match.
- Log risk signals so support teams can explain decisions later.
- Avoid making any single signal the only gatekeeper.
What to watch next
The market is still fragmented, and availability differs by country and carrier. The IBM announcement matters because enterprises often need integration help, procurement confidence, and repeatable architecture before they adopt new telecom APIs. If Open Gateway keeps expanding through partners and aggregators, fraud controls that once required custom carrier relationships may become easier for product teams to use.
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Chinedu Celestine Okpala
BillioPlus Team · Content & Guides