MWC 2014: Airtel, Tata Teleservices trial mobile identity solution using NFC Badge

GSMA today said Bouygues Telecom, Airtel, Dialog, Du, Etisalat, KT Corp., Orange, Tata Teleservices and Telstra will trial mobile identity solution at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2014.

Mobile users of these global telecom operators can streamline their entry to MWC 2014, Barcelona by participating in a trial that uses their mobile operator credentials to confirm their identity.

In 2013 Mobile World Congress, GSMA initiated NFC Badge.

The NFC Badge identity validation process checks simple information held by an operator, such as name and telephone number, and combines this with an automated photo ID check. This process will confirm the attendee’s identity and enable validation of the NFC Badge before the attendee arrives at the event. Pre-validation of the NFC Badge via mobile, will eliminate the need for having to show identity documents for entry into Fira Gran Via.

Airtel, Tata Teleservices

Michael O’Hara, chief marketing officer, GSMA, said: “By using this new mobile operator identity solution, eligible attendees can pre-validate their NFC Badge, and pass through venue access points without having to repeatedly show photo ID.”

Once all of the identity validation steps are completed and verified, the NFC Badge is activated and the attendee can enter Mobile World Congress at Fira Gran Via without having to present photo ID onsite.

GSMA has worked with Apigee to deliver the functionality for both Android and iOS. Apigee provides API platform that enables the secure sharing of operator identity information as well as cross-operator interoperability via the GSMA OneAPI Exchange.

For iPhone users to experience NFC services, a limited number of free Cashwrap NFC-enabled cases for iPhone 4, 4s, 5 and 5s models are available. When a case is attached to an iPhone, and with the GSMA Mobile App downloaded and open on the handset, the NFC Badge can be used to enter the event and participate in other NFC Experience activities at Mobile World Congress.

Attendees whose operators are not participating in the NFC Badge mobile identity validation trial will need to provide photo ID onsite.

[email protected]