Phone number verification without mobile data
Could a user sign up or sign in with your app while flying over an ocean during an international flight? Older verification methods like SMS and Silent Network Authentication (SNA) can’t, since they both only work through the cellular data connection.
With Firebase PNV, you can verify a phone number over any internet connection: wired, wifi, cellular, or using a hotspot. So end users can be on an airplane in airplane mode, or have their mobile data disabled, and you can still retrieve the verified phone number for their SIM. Reach more users, simplify onboarding, and eliminate the need for SMS OTPs.
 |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMS | Silent Network Auth (SNA) | Firebase PNV | |
| Connectivity |  | |   |
| Security |  |  | |
| Sends Messages |  |  | |
Table: The evolution of phone number verification.
Meet the new networks
Speaking of reach, we have added 5 more networks and regions with more on the way!
| Regions | Carrier Networks | Logos |
|---|---|---|
| Finland | DNA* |  |
| Germany | Deutsche Telekom |  |
| Vodafone* |  | |
| Indonesia | Telkomsel |   |
| Netherlands | Vodafone* | |
| Malaysia | CelcomDiGi* |  |
| United Kingdom | Vodafone* | |
The carriers are thrilled to bring this to you too.
CelcomDigi’s Chief Innovation Officer, T. Kugan said, “We are applying network intelligence to improve how people experience digital services. By offering APIaaS, we enable enterprises and developers to integrate secure, network-led phone number verification into their applications, making digital onboarding simpler, safer and more reliable for end users. This reflects CelcomDigi’s commitment to continue playing a key role in enabling a more secure and trusted digital economy for the nation.”
”With this solution, DNA’s Android customers will have a more seamless and secure way to verify their phone numbers across different services in the future. This aligns perfectly with our vision of a smarter and safer tomorrow”, says Anna-Mari Yli-Hurula, SVP, Corporate business at DNA.
Stig Atle Waagbø, CEO of Telenor Linx, commented:
“With Firebase Phone Number Verification, mobile network operators can deliver a significantly higher level of digital security to both developers and subscribers, while keeping the user experience friction-free. Through our partnership with Google’s Firebase, Telenor Linx helps raise the standard for digital security while keeping the customer experience effortless.”
Johanna Wood, Director of Network APIs at Vodafone, shared, “This new generation of phone number verification is just the start of supporting app developers enhance security and deliver seamless authentication with carrier network APIs. Firebase Phone Number Verification simplifies the developer experience while improving the experience for customers.”
Firebase PNV reaches public preview
We now have a total of 7 networks available, reaching an estimated 224 million compatible Android devices. Interested in testing?
Now that we’re in public preview, there is no waitlist, so if you have a SIM from any of the supported carriers, you can start testing! Visit our documentation to learn how to get started. We’re starting with Android platform support, and will add more platforms soon.
Summary
Verifying phone numbers is finally modernizing, eliminating manual number entry, improving security, and removing the cellular data limitation. Firebase PNV makes it simple to ask for a phone number, then retrieve it directly from the carrier, making new user sign up a breeze, and raising trust in verified phone numbers to a whole new level.