They SO do .. but it might be for certain T-DSL products only; I have no idea. I've seen it in action at two different homes in southern Germany (Bavaria). My "samplings" are from the latter half of July 2009.

I don't have proof, and I cannot produce proof as I'm not in Germany at the moment.

I guess you'll just have to take my word for it, eh? Or offer alternative suggestions as to what I've seen.

The Deutsche Telekom / T-Online does exactly the same in Germany.

I couldn't disagree more.
Curiosity and Creativity are the two most outstanding qualities of human beings, and neither can flourish without the other.

Why should painters paint? Musicians compose and play? They shouldn't, following your logic. They do so because they can, and the rest of us are left to enjoy the fact that they do.

I think it is of *vital* importance that we explore and research for its own sake, and not only with specific purposes in mind. Fundamental research is the most important research we do, and for it to carry any meaning, it MUST be free of expectations and purpose. Whatever comes out of it can only be seen as a bonus, not taken for granted. Those bonuses will pay off, as they always have.

...as I still need that to keep myself warm.

First mention I've seen of 3-D secure here. Good research.
Anyway: Visa does not impose the authentication method on the issuers; the issuers can do this in any way they prefer (within certain limits). Some use "web shopping passwords", some use one-time passwords, some use a SMS or email solution, some tie it into the online banking security platform, some use national ID.

Also, many of the current gripes with 3DS are being worked on; for instance the iFrame/domainname issues.

Keep in mind that 3DS (VbV/MCSC) does NOT entail any other kind of fraud screening (name matching, etc.); it is an authentication system ONLY. And, for the time being and for most card products, if your card is not enrolled by your issuer (voluntary or not) you won't be asked to authenticate, though you will sometimes be redirected to a component of the 3DS chain to check your enrollment status.

For the merchant, it's simple: Attempt to authenticate, and liability for fraud is shifted to the issuer. Card not enrolled? Not your problem. Card enrolled? Authorize if authentication OK, otherwise don't.

But as many have said: This is not primarily done for the cardholder. It's for merchants (lower risk -> more/happier merchants), banks (lower risk -> lower cost, more merchants -> profit!) and the card companies (Visa/MC, less fraud -> less brand damage -> more shopping -> profit!).