TPG Telecom has taken significant steps to protect its mobile users from the increasing threat of AI-powered scams and spam calls by partnering with Mavenir, a leading network software provider. This collaboration has already shown impressive results, with a 280% increase in the number of fraudulent calls blocked before reaching TPG customers.
For years, TPG Telecom has effectively utilized Mavenir’s SpamShield technology to safeguard SMS communications. Now, with the introduction of the advanced CallShield solution, customers across TPG’s various brands—including Vodafone, TPG, iiNet, and felix—are better protected from harassment and threats posed by automated and deepfake voice calls initiated by fraudsters.
In the first half of 2024, Mavenir’s CallShield technology successfully blocked nearly 19 million fraudulent calls aimed at TPG customers, which translates to an average of about 103,000 illegal calls blocked each day. This marks a significant increase compared to the previous year, where only 4.9 million calls were blocked in the same timeframe, showcasing TPG Telecom’s effectiveness in combating fraudulent activities.
In addition to voice calls, TPG Telecom is also leveraging Mavenir’s SpamShield platform to block fraudulent text messages. In just the first six months of 2024, the technology prevented over 59.6 million fraudulent texts from reaching TPG’s mobile users.
The telecommunications sector is facing a growing challenge from sophisticated spam and fraudulent activities, particularly as scams become increasingly driven by advanced artificial intelligence. A report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission in 2022 revealed that phone scams alone cost Australians a staggering $141 million. In response to these threats, the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is leading efforts to combat spam and fraud, requiring operators to comply with strict regulations and supporting technology vendors in implementing effective security solutions.
Mavenir’s CallShield employs real-time machine learning to enhance security analysis, enabling proactive defense against voice service threats. This innovative solution gives Communication Service Providers (CSPs) comprehensive control, allowing them to quickly respond to specific network issues. Unlike traditional methods that rely on static rules, CallShield’s machine learning algorithms adapt to current network conditions and user behavior, continuously detecting and blocking attempts by spammers and fraudsters.
Giovanni Chiarelli, CTO of TPG Telecom, emphasized the importance of customer trust: “Our commitment to our customers drives us to adopt new technologies that provide robust protection against harassment and malicious threats. Mavenir’s CallShield technology ensures real-time, automated security analysis, effectively safeguarding our voice service users.”
Jan Schaar, Vice President for the APAC region at Mavenir, highlighted the need for a proactive security approach: “The rapid evolution of scam techniques necessitates a security strategy that goes beyond mere reactive measures. To deliver the assurance that mobile users expect, we must anticipate and stay ahead of scammers. We are thrilled to extend our SpamShield platform’s proactive security capabilities with CallShield, ensuring TPG’s mobile customers are protected from unwanted voice call threats.”
As TPG Telecom continues to enhance its security measures, the partnership with Mavenir positions the company to offer greater protection to its customers against the growing threat of fraud and spam in the telecommunications landscape.
