Extending Mobile Identity Beyond Authentication

With mobile phones reaching saturation levels in many countries, banks and other service providers are taking a second look at providing financial and commercial services over the mobile channel. Mobile banking and PKI both flamed out spectacularly in the early part of this decade, but they're making a comeback now that the technology has matured and John Q. Public is ready for them. To be trustworthy, mobile transactions need to be secure, which requires that customers be rigorously identified and authenticated. Mobile signature solutions do just that, enabling not only mBanking and mCommerce, but a wide range of other new value-added consumer and corporate services, all based on the concept that a mobile phone and SIM card are the smart card and reader you always have with you. While easy to use, setting up a mobile signature service is complex and has yet to gain truly solid footing in many markets, but holds substantial promise for the future.