GSMA and Mobileum Team on Preventing Fake Calls

The GSMA and Mobileum joined forces to develop a global system targeting prevention of fraudulent and unwanted calls, with a trial phase of the project open for industry players. As part of the move, the industry will be encouraged to test the new model to assess techniques to combat advanced collaborative fraud and nuisance calls.

The trials will be made with tools using real fraud incidents, including an option to allow multiple networks to collaborate on a problem, trace the source of a call and provide real-time warnings about counterfeit activities. Efforts will also be placed in testing call validation and an authenticated list of network identifiers.

Mobile, fixed and VoIP operators, along with voice and signalling wholesalers are able to participate in the initiative, which the GSMA said will enhance the telecoms industry’s capacity to combat robocalling and other unwanted or fraudulent calls. GSMA CTO Alex Sinclair cited data by the US Federal Communications Commission estimating fraudulent robocall schemes cost the nation’s citizens $10 billion per year. He highlighted, however, the challenge impacts people on a global scale and the GSMA’s initiative aimed to locate and mitigate the sources of fraudulent activity.