Telecommunications & SIM Registration

Challenges: Telecom operators globally must perform SIM registration / subscriber identity verification to combat fraud and security threats. Many countries legally require KYC for mobile SIMs (to prevent anonymous usage). Telcos are also diversifying into digital services (mobile wallets, OTT apps) where user identity is key. They need seamless, secure onboarding and login for millions of users, and increasingly want to use the SIM or mobile as an identity factor (e.g., Mobile Connect initiatives).

ZAKAPI for Telecom: We provide specialized modules for SIM Registration, Mobile ID, and Telco KYC that streamline compliance while improving customer experience.

Instant SIM Registration: Rather than photocopying IDs in a store or uploading documents online for a new SIM card, customers can verify their identity with a Zakapi proof. For example, at purchase, the telco’s system triggers Zakapi to request a proof of a valid government ID and age > 18 from the customer’s wallet. The customer approves and in seconds the system gets back a cryptographic confirmation “Government ID is valid & user is adult (yes)”. This can be based on an integration with national eIDs (like Aadhaar, BankID, Nigeria NIN, etc.) or on a previously issued digital ID credential. It eliminates manual entry errors and stores far less data – you just log that a proof was provided, instead of keeping copies of passports or IDs.

eKYC for Mobile Services: Many telcos now offer mobile money, micro-lending, or other services that have KYC requirements. Zakapi allows an operator to reuse a subscriber’s KYC from a partner or perform fresh KYC in a privacy-preserving way. For instance, a prepaid SIM user later wants to activate the telco’s payments app – the telco can leverage Zakapi to confirm this user passed KYC via an external provider without requiring them to come to a store or resubmit documents.

Mobile ID & Authentication: Leverage the SIM as a secure element in tandem with Zakapi’s wallet for strong authentication. For example, on a partner website, a user can choose “Login with Mobile ID” – the request goes to Zakapi which checks that the user’s device/SIM is the one registered and obtains a proof of subscriber identity. We combine secure SIM authentication (per standards like Mobile Connect, which uses the mobile number and SIM-based verification) with our verifiable credential to assert “Yes, this is the owner of +1-202-555-1234 and their identity is verified.” The login is completed with two factors seamlessly: something you have (your SIM/phone) and something you are (your ID credential + biometric to unlock it). This drastically reduces reliance on SMS OTPs and the risk of SIM swap fraud, while making login as easy as a click.

Fraud Prevention & SIM Swap Protection: Zakapi can issue a credential to a user’s device (or eSIM) that binds their identity to that device. This could be used when issuing eSIM profiles remotely. Only the rightful identity holder can obtain the eSIM because they must present their proof. Later, if someone tries to do a SIM swap, the system can require a Zakapi proof again – stopping impostors who might have stolen a password but can’t fake the zero-knowledge proof tied to the original ID.

Regulatory Alignment: Telecommunication regulators often require audit logs of subscriber verification. Zakapi automatically keeps a cryptographically verifiable log of every SIM registration verification event (with a unique proof ID, timestamp, and issuer signature). The telco can present this in regulatory reports to demonstrate compliance without exposing personal details. For cross-border scenarios (like roaming eSIM profiles), our adherence to global eID standards means a telco in Country A could accept a proof based on an ID from Country B if the trust frameworks are aligned, enabling smoother tourist and expatriate SIM provisioning.

Value-Added Identity Services: Telcos can also become identity providers using Zakapi. For example, as part of national digital ID programs or GSMA’s Mobile Connect, operators could issue a “Telco-verified ID” credential to subscribers (leveraging their KYC process). This credential then can be used by subscribers to log in to other services (banking, e-government). It opens new business models where the telco is not just providing connectivity but also acting as a trust anchor in the digital ecosystem. Zakapi provides the tech foundations (wallet, credential exchange protocols) to enable this in a standards-compliant way, so telcos can easily plug into national digital identity federations or offer login services to partners with user consent. Value Proposition for Telcos: Comply with SIM registration laws efficiently while gaining customer trust (no more feeling of intrusion when you ask for their ID – it’s handled privately on their device). Cut the overhead of storing ID documents and reduce identity fraud and prepaid churn associated with weak verification. Position yourself as an innovator by offering Mobile ID services that make login and onboarding easier across the board, leveraging the unique asset telcos have, the SIM – combined with cutting-edge cryptography through Zakapi.