MTN Nigeria is now making use of Gemalto's LinqUs Mobile ID platform in a bid to ensure greater security and convenience online.

The new project, named MTN Token, will be operated for MTN in SaaS mode by Gemalto's Allynis Services.

Gemalto says the rollout marks the first commercial provision of SIM-based services delivering mobile authentication for all mobile users. "Compliant with the latest GSMA standards, Mobile Connect, 'MTN Token' is available immediately to MTN Nigeria's 70 million subscribers and positions the operator as the country's foremost provider of secure digital identification and authentication."

MTN Token is offering users a universal digital ID combined with a mobile-based second factor authentication, for secure web service access, payments and financial transactions validation.

"When using MTN Token for eCommerce, banking, insurance, ePublic and corporate networks services, the user's mobile phone number is employed as the username. Depending on the level of protection required by the service provider, the process is completed by simply pressing OK on the handset, or entering a unique user-selected PIN code" Gemalto said in an announcement.

Combating cybercrime

Eric Claudel, President for Middle East & Africa at Gemalto hailed the new partnership with MTN. "The long-established partnership between MTN Nigeria and Gemalto is the perfect foundation for this ground-breaking project...Bridging the gap between security and convenience, Mobile Connect represents the future of user authentication. It also fully supports operators in monetising new value added services."

Gemalto also announced that MTN Token is available to any service provider in Nigeria who would like to adopt it adopt services in order to strengthen protection of online services against identity theft and cybercrime.

The service also enables the operator to offer a convenient digital journey to its customers, removing complex registration and log-in processes, while sparing them the hassle of remembering new username/password combinations according to the digital security company.

A'isha Umar Mumuni, General Manager, Products & Innovation at MTN Nigeria reiterated that the new project is a first. "With the launch of MTN Token, we are the first private provider of secure online identity and positioned as a warrant of digital ID and authentication in Nigeria,"

Mumuni says the solution will deliver significant reductions in fraud whilst easing the frustration often experienced by consumers on their digital journeys.