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