In today’s CPaaSAA Talk, I had the pleasure of speaking with Eddie DeCurtis, CEO of Shush, and Henry Calvert from the GSMA, about a major milestone: Shush’s Sherlock platform now supports TS.43 Release 11 from GSMA—bringing silent, SIM-based authentication into real-world deployment.
This isn’t just a technical upgrade. It’s a game-changer for secure, seamless identity in mobile communications.
Why This Matters
Silent authentication has long been the holy grail: invisible to the user, effortless, and secure across any network. Sherlock now delivers that—without forcing users back to mobile networks or relying on fragile workarounds.
“This is it,” said Eddie. “Simple, seamless, silent—and now, ubiquitous. That’s what the industry has been waiting for.”
And from where I stand, it’s more than a product launch. This has the potential to position mobile operators as the new guardians of trust—in a world where identity fraud, digital friction, and consumer skepticism are only growing.
When operators can deliver frictionless, standards-based, privacy-first authentication across any network, they don’t just solve a problem—they reclaim a critical role in the digital trust chain.
What’s New in TS.43 Release 11?
TS.43 isn’t new—it’s been evolving over the last decade. But Release 11 brings it into the modern age:
SIM and eSIM-based authentication across Wi-Fi, satellite, and fixed networks. Support for third-party apps requesting number verification and device validation. Consent-based tokenization, empowering operators to approve or deny access securely. Privacy and compliance baked in, with no PII exposure or risky data handling.
“We’ve taken what used to work just for voice over Wi-Fi and expanded it to third-party apps and broader services,” explained Henry. “It’s fast, secure, and operator-approved.”
Sherlock: Ready Out of the Box—and Smarter Than Ever
Even better—Sherlock makes it available today. “There’s nothing the operator needs to upgrade,” said Eddie. “It’s built into Sherlock. Just turn it on.”
But what makes Sherlock especially powerful is that it doesn’t require a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it intelligently leverages what’s available—whether that’s TS.43, more traditional authentication methods, or modern Network APIs aligned with Open Gateway and CAMARA.
“Sherlock chooses what works best for the context,” Eddie explained. “That could be TS.43, a fallback OTP, or something API-driven. It’s smart, adaptive, and always designed to protect the user and operator.”
This hybrid flexibility gives telcos and developers the freedom to evolve at their own pace—while still moving toward a unified, secure future.
For the Ecosystem, It’s a Win-Win
This unlocks value for everyone involved:
Operators can monetize authentication and protect users from fraud. Developers and enterprises gain seamless identity tools that are flexible and standards-based. Users enjoy a smoother, safer experience—no passwords, no friction.
“This lets telcos take control of identity again,” said Eddie. “No backdoors, no shortcuts. Just standards. And it’s ready today.”
Eddie’s Gratitude
Throughout the conversation, Eddie expressed deep appreciation for the collaborative effort behind this milestone, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that here.
“We couldn’t have done it without Henry and the GSMA team,” he said. “I’ve given Henry a hard time over the years—but I mean it when I say thank you. What the GSMA did, and what my team pulled off—this is one of those rare ‘attaboy’ moments.”
Henry was quick to redirect the credit: “I’m just one part of a much larger group—from the operator working groups to the Terminal Steering Group and Networks Group. This was a true collective effort.”
A Real Step Toward Intelligent Engagement
At CPaaSAA, we talk about Intelligent Engagement—blending APIs, identity, and intelligence to power secure, real-time interactions. This is exactly that in action.
TS.43 R11 + Sherlock = intelligent, invisible, interoperable trust.
And in a world where security and simplicity often feel at odds, this shows that mobile operators can be the bridge. Not just the pipe—but the protector. Not just connectivity—but confidence.
Looking Ahead: AI and the Age of Autonomous Agents
As we enter the era of autonomous agents and AI-driven services, the need for stronger, seamless identity and consent frameworks is only growing. Agents acting on our behalf—booking, authorizing, managing sensitive data—require authentication models that are invisible, intelligent, and verifiable.
TS.43 Release 11, alongside platforms like Sherlock, could very well become a foundational layer for AI-ready identity—giving networks the tools to authorize agents without compromising user trust or user experience.
Silent. Seamless. Secure. Standardized. Smarter. The future of mobile authentication is here—and it’s ready for what’s next.
My lifetime in IT and telecoms has been dedicated to innovation, building bridges and creating change. From the early days of cloud communications to working with operators on innovations and business development, and currently emphasizing APIs, CPaaS/CX and AI, my journey has been one of continuous evolution.
As founding partner at CPaaS Acceleration Alliance and The Next Cloud I'm privileged to help global telcos and techcos thrive in a fast changing world - through events, community building, strategy and global business development. I thrive on challenges and change, strategizing in cloud communications, and bringing people together for mutual success. Travel and continuous learning are my passions.
I believe the global communications industry is pivoting to prioritize customer experience and impactful solutions over mere technology and platforms, and we can tackle societal challenges by merging the strengths of corporates and innovators within new ecosystems.
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