How mobile carriers block innovation
Keep your digital identity secure while online
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Online security best practice
Create several online aliases
Use different passwords… of course
Use multiple email addresses or aliases
“like using a PO Box… so you don't have to tell the world where you live”– Adam Turner, SMH
3Source: http://www.smh.com.au/technology/gadgets-on-the-go/sticking-with-one-email-address-is-a-security-risk-20161010-gryorc.html
So what about mobile numbers?
Who has your mobile number?
Personal contacts
Work contacts
Car seller website
Flatmate search website
Freelancing website
60’s vintage handbag sale website
Organised criminal syndicates
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How safe is your mobile number?
Hacked using “forged cookies”1
Stolen: names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, hashed passwords and encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers1
Warned if mobile number associated with Yahoo account, may receive SMS phishing or “smishing” attacks 2
Now: Yahoo recommends customers use Yahoo Account Key - verifies user’s identity using a mobile phone and eliminates need to use password3
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Sources:1. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/dec/14/yahoo-hack-security-of-one-billion-accounts-breached2. https://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/12/my-yahoo-account-was-hacked-now-what/ 3. https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/14/technology/yahoo-hack.html?_r=0
Identity theft 2.0
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1. Steal database or mail
2. Buy time: SMS victim – upcoming network outage
3. Port mobile number
4. Change online banking password
5. Authenticate on stolen number
6. Money = gone!Sources:https://www.cnet.com/au/how-to/find-out-if-your-yahoo-account-was-hacked/ https://krebsonsecurity.com/2016/12/my-yahoo-account-was-hacked-now-what/ https://www.itnews.com.au/news/45k-stolen-in-phone-porting-scam-282310/page0
Solution…virtual mobile numbers
We have smart network to do this today
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Online datingAnonymised calling
Lift/ride sharing appsInstant communication
Buying/SellingTemporary numbers
AirtaskingMultiple numbers
MedicalMedical Privacy
How would it work?
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Virtual Number04XX XXX XXX
Handset number04YY YYY YYY
Breaking the ID theft chain
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1. Steal database or mail
2. Buy time: SMS victim – upcoming network outage
3. Port mobile number
4. Change online banking password
5. Authentication fails!
But it’s not the same number the bank has!
6. Money = safe!
“A secondary objective of this instrument is to facilitate any-to-any connectivity by ensuring that numbers are: (a) clearly assigned to a type or types of service; and allocated and (b) used
responsibly”
- TELECOMMUNICATIONS NUMBERING PLAN 2015 (Division 2 (8))
For the purposes of this section, the objective of any-to-any connectivity is achieved if,and only if, each end-user who is supplied with a carriage service that involves
communication between end-users is able to communicate, by means of that service, with each other end-user who is supplied with the same service or a similar service, whether or not the
end-users are connected to the same telecommunications network.”
- COMPETITION AND CONSUMER ACT 2010 - SECT 152AB (8)10
Innovation Roadblock
• ACMA happy to allocate mobile numbers to cloud-based providers
• But all 3 mobile carriers must allow access to our numbers
• One refuses virtual numbers not usable
• Innovation opportunity wasted!
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ACMA
Symbio
Mobile
Numbers
Mobile network 2
Mobile network 3
Mobile network 1
Symbio
Mobile network 2
Mobilenetwork 3
Mobile network 1
Symbio
Landline numbers Virtual mobile numbers
Online trading &
datingIM apps
Work / personal numbers
Other apps
Call screening Analytics Voicemail Other
apps
Mobile network 2
Mobilenetwork 3
Mobilenetwork 1
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Why refuse?
Because they can
“No commercial need”
Fear of losing revenue
Don’t want to and don’t have to
Only want innovation of their own services
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What is mobile phone anyway?Currently
3G 4G 5G
With virtual mobile numbers
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Network access
Miniaturised computer
SoftwareOS Voice, SMS & other apps
etc...
3G 4G 5G
Network access
Miniaturised computer
SoftwareOS Voice, SMS & other apps
etc...
Isn’t it Ironic…
• Wi-Fi Talk and Wi-Fi Calling • Allowing mobile services to connect to home
Wi-Fi service when network coverage is poor• This makes it… VoIP!
• Home gateway backup• Conditioning numbers to be used as 4G
backup for DSL connections in home gateway
• Key part of future strategy outlined in Investor Day presentation
15Sources: http://www.optus.com.au/shop/support/answer/wifi-talk-compatibility-functions-download-links?requestType=NormalRequest&id=5796&typeId=5https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband/extras/frontierhttps://www.telstra.com.au/content/dam/tcom/about-us/investors/pdf-e/Investor-Day-Presentation-Nov2016.pdf
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“Technology isn't standing still. The way that consumers seek to access and consume their media isn't standing still.”
“The laws that we have were essentially cast in a pre-digital era when particular business models were much more stable.”
- Mitch Fifield, 30 Sep 2015
“Every Australian will benefit from an agenda that puts innovation and science at the heart of government.”
“Part of being a government committed to innovation is to lead by example and respond to changing circumstances.”
- Malcolm Turnbull, 7 Dec 2015
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Supporting who’s innovation? We are the ‘local innovators’
• 30% of workforce in R&D• Smart network supporting new-gen services• Creating new services & winning awards
Instead of supporting providers like us, regulation is blocking us
We enable the wholesale industry
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Supporting Wholesale Innovation• Aggregation & enablement platform• Speed to market• Industry proven• Developed in Australia with in-house IP
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We have tried…Carriers co-operate and condition numbers
Already said ‘no’
ACCC Market Study submission Just a study, not binding. Outcome uncertain.
ACCC to revise declared definition of mobile serviceRegulation too complex, will take too long
Anti-competitive behaviour complaint to the ACCCCould take 10 years!
Telecommunications Numbering Plan 2015“facilitate any-to-any connectivity” but no enforcement power
ACMACan allocate numbers, but can’t do anything further
Department of Communications“we suggest you write to the Minister…”
Who will take charge of innovation? 19
Action is needed NOW
In March, called on the Minister of Communications to take action
Declare mobile numbers as a designated interconnect service
Force the mobile carriers to condition all new number ranges allocated by the ACMA without delay
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What next?
Spoken with ACMA
Working with the Department of Communications
Speaking to mobile networks
Speaking to Minister’s office
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And on and on it goes… We’re staying on the ride