Vodafone Number Verify 2.0 is Live in Three European Markets

Vodafone has launched its next-generation phone number authentication API, known as Number Verify 2.0, across Germany, the Netherlands and the UK. The tool is available now and is being deployed first on Android devices.

This is the first stage in Vodafone’s planned global rollout of the API. It is also part of a wider trend, as operators in many countries are turning to Network APIs to generate additional value from their networks.

Moving beyond one-time passcodes

Number Verify 2.0 provides businesses with a secure way to verify a user’s mobile phone number without requiring short message service (SMS) one-time passcodes (OTP).

The technology uses the mobile network to confirm that a phone number is linked to the SIM card and device across both application and web journeys, regardless of whether the user is on mobile data or Wi-Fi.

Once a user gives consent, their phone number is immediately shared with the service provider, such as a bank or retailer, creating a seamless experience.

This new system addresses a critical gap in digital identity, where companies have historically relied on mobile numbers without having a secure method to verify them.

Addressing modern security vulnerabilities

While mobile numbers remain the most common identifiers for registrations, logins, account recoveries and transaction confirmations, traditional verification methods have not kept up with modern fraud threats.

Standard SMS passcodes only confirm that a security code was entered, rather than proving the actual subscriber is present or that the security journey remains uncompromised.

This limitation exposes businesses and consumers to cyber threats like phishing, social engineering and artificially inflated traffic (AIT).

AIT occurs when automated bots trigger large volumes of passcode requests to drive up costs and increase administrative complexity.

Benefits for enterprise customers

“SMS OTP has been the default for over a decade, but it was never built for the threat environment we operate in today,” says Johanna Wood, Director of Network APIs at Vodafone.

“Number Verify 2.0 changes that by giving developers a way to verify phone numbers that is faster, safer and seamless for the user.

“Launching Number Verify 2.0 simultaneously in three countries marks the start of our global rollout for enterprise customers.”

An interoperable security standard

Integrating the API improves customer conversion rates by removing manual mobile number entry, SMS waiting times and code typing from onboarding, login and account recovery flows.

The technology also increases overall safety by design by eliminating the human-readable codes that criminals can phish, intercept or manipulate via social engineering.

Additionally, the platform keeps operational costs down by reducing unnecessary spending on SMS, minimising failed verification attempts and limiting exposure to artificial traffic.

Built on the CAMARA international standard, the next-generation authentication system ensures full interoperability across telecom operators and global markets.

Developers can integrate the technology once and deploy it globally as support from other telecommunications operators expands.

This news follows swiftly on from a similar announcement by Aduna and the three national mobile operators in the US, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. Aduna is deploying a network API-based Number Verification in partnership with these three operators. 

Vodafone has been on the top of many people’s minds of late, given the news that UAE-based e& is selling its entire stake in Vodafone Group to French billionaire Xavier Niel. If the deal goes through, it will make him the Group’s largest shareholder, controlling about 16.2% of its issued share capital.