8×8 and PLDT Enterprise Introduce SIM-Based Silent Authentication to Reduce Mobile Fraud in the Philippines

8×8, Inc., a global provider of business communications and customer experience solutions, has launched 8×8 Silent Mobile Authentication in the Philippines in partnership with PLDT Enterprise, the corporate arm of PLDT. The new solution integrates PLDT Enterprise’s SmartSafe SilentAccess—part of its SmartSafe API suite—into the 8×8 Connect platform to offer seamless and secure mobile user verification without relying on one-time passwords (OTPs).

The launch responds to a sharp increase in mobile fraud in the Philippines, where more than half of Filipinos report having experienced scams. As digital transactions and mobile messaging continue to grow, businesses have increasingly depended on SMS-based OTPs for identity verification. While OTPs remain common, they are vulnerable to fraud tactics such as spoofing and SIM-swap attacks and can create friction for users through manual code entry.

The new silent authentication technology verifies users through mobile network and SIM-based signals in the background, eliminating the need for OTP input. This approach aims to reduce login friction, lower abandonment rates, and improve verification success rates. According to pilot program results cited in the announcement, the solution demonstrated higher success rates and reduced user drop-off compared to traditional OTP workflows.

Company executives from both 8×8 and PLDT Enterprise emphasized that the partnership supports secure digital transformation in the Philippines. By combining network-level authentication with 8×8’s CPaaS capabilities, enterprises can strengthen fraud prevention while delivering smoother customer experiences. The companies position the offering as a tool to help businesses maintain trust and operational efficiency as digital adoption accelerates nationwide.