What’s coming in 2026
The i3Forum Board, after consultation with its members, has identified a number of emerging topics that we will dive into on top of our existing workgroups and initiatives. For example, eSIMs have evolved quickly and are now a key component of the market. The i3Forum will be exploring opportunities related to eSims and the need to interconnect the various platforms including how Cloud Numbers can play a key role in that ecosystem.
Other topics will include the evolution of RCS, A2P and WhatsApp, and how carriers can play a role in this fast-changing environment. Similarly, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, combined with Direct to Device (D2D), are now on the horizon and we will investigate the carriers’ role in facilitating this development.
Of course, our Restore Trust Initiatives are moving fast with our partners, One Consortiumand GIRAF. Topics like Identity and Trusted Voice will be in focus for 2026.
In addition to these new topics, the i3Forum will continue to expand its reach, both geographically and with key stakeholders of our industry. For example, we will continue to push our expansion into Asia-Pacific with activities specific to the region. Other geographies such as Africa, Middle East and South America will be a priority for the i3Forum’s expansion efforts going forward. We will also develop initiatives specifically for vendors as well as MNO/retail providers on top of our traditional carrier segment.
We are looking forward to discussing all these topics and initiatives further in the coming months.
i3Forum Publishes Global KYC/KYT Guidelines to Strengthen Fraud Prevention
The i3Forum’s Fight Fraud Workgroup has released a new set of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Know Your Traffic (KYT) guidelines designed to help carriers combat unwanted and fraudulent communications.
Developed in collaboration with Numeracle and the Cloud Communications Alliance (CCA), the recommendations provide a globally refined framework for verifying both customers and traffic flows. By aligning with evolving global regulatory expectations, these guidelines offer carriers a practical roadmap to improve fraud prevention and reinforce customer trust.
KYC and KYT practices—well established in the financial sector—are now increasingly recognized as essential in telecommunications. The guidelines emphasize that fraud prevention is most effective at the point of origin, where originating service providers play a critical role as the first line of defense. At the same time, international transit carriers are called upon to perform due diligence on both their partners and the traffic they carry, ensuring fraud checks extend beyond domestic markets and across global networks.
By strengthening verification processes and harmonizing standards, the guidelines aim to create a consistent, international approach to fraud prevention. They extend KYC/KYT protections across the full chain of international communications, reducing vulnerabilities and building resilience in the global ecosystem. The i3Forum is inviting carriers and industry stakeholders to adopt these recommendations and to join the organization’s collaborative efforts to advance trust and security across the telecom community.
i3Forum Leads Charge to Secure and Standardize Cloud Numbers
The i3Forum’s Cloud Numbers and Inbound Calling Workgroup has released a new paper to help the telecom industry navigate the fast-growing and often misunderstood Cloud Number ecosystem.
Developed in collaboration with One Consortium, the report maps real-world service use cases, clarifies the roles of international carriers, and introduces the concept of “Know the Use Case” (KUC). It aims to bring transparency and consistency to a rapidly evolving space while laying the groundwork for a future Cloud Number Factbook to guide global best practices and regulatory alignment.
Addressing Compliance and Fraud Risks
Cloud Number services have become vital to modern, value-added voice communications, enabling businesses to deliver seamless, automated customer experiences. However, their rapid adoption has created challenges, including fragmented country-by-country regulations, inconsistent service implementations, and fraud risks that can trigger false blocking of legitimate traffic without impacting problematic illegitimate traffic. The paper offers a clear reference for carriers and policymakers, detailing commercial and technical service models, fraud prevention strategies, and practical recommendations for protecting legitimate traffic from disruption.
Shaping the Future of Voice Services
As telecom shifts to “Everything-as-a-Service” (XaaS) models, numbers are becoming key assets in enterprise applications and digital services. The report calls for globally aligned policies and trust frameworks to ensure compliant, secure use of Cloud Numbers while fostering innovation. By introducing KUC as a complement to traditional Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, i3Forum is helping carriers, regulators, and service providers build a foundation for smarter governance, better customer experiences, and more resilient global communications.
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