Mexico City – Starting January 9, 2026, every active cell phone line in Mexico – including traditional physical SIM cards and modern virtual eSIMs – must be officially linked to the identity of its owner. The mandate is the result of new Guidelines for the Identification of Mobile Telephone Lines approved by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT).
The primary goal of this nationwide measure is to dramatically reduce the anonymity associated with mobile phone numbers, which authorities state has long facilitated criminal activities. By associating each number with a specific person or legal entity, the CRT intends to strengthen the fight against prevalent crimes such as extortion, fraud, and identity theft.
Universal Requirement and Registration Deadlines
The new guidelines apply universally to all users, regardless of whether they hold prepaid or postpaid plans. This means both new and existing lines must be registered; no current user will be exempt.
The mandatory registration process begins on January 9, 2026, the same day the new guidelines are published in the Official Gazette of the Federation. Major mobile phone operators, including Telcel, AT&T, Movistar, Bait, and Altán Redes, are required to have their technological platforms and physical registration modules ready. Operators will begin sending SMS notifications to customers detailing the specific instructions and deadlines for the process.
Following the initial launch, operators have a period of 120 calendar days – until approximately June 2026 – to ensure all existing customer cell phone numbers are fully registered and linked to the correct identity.
The Consequences of Non-Compliance
Users who fail to register their mobile lines within the deadlines set by their respective companies face immediate service suspension.
A suspended line will be severely limited in its function. It will only be able to make emergency calls and perform minimal operations, ceasing to work for regular services. This suspension disables basic functions such as regular voice calls, text messaging (SMS), and mobile data access. It will also block access to applications that rely on the number for authentication, including popular platforms like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
Telephone companies have clarified that this suspension is not a permanent deletion of the number but a significant disruption intended to force compliance. To restore full service, individuals and businesses must complete the required registration process. It is therefore crucial for all users to complete the process promptly to avoid disruptions to daily communication and essential operations.
How to Register Your Line
To comply with the new regulation, users must generally follow a simple process:
- Access the Platform: Users must go to their mobile operator’s customer service center or access the digital platform enabled by their specific company (e.g., Telcel, AT&T).
- Provide Documentation: Users must input their official personal details.
- Verification and Confirmation: The operator will verify the provided information and confirm the registration of the number in the national mobile registry.
The necessary documents for registration differ based on the user’s status:
- Mexican Citizens: Must present their CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) and a valid official photo ID, such as a voter ID (INE) or passport.
- Foreign Residents: Must register their valid passport number instead of the CURP.
- Legal Entities (Companies): Must present the company’s RFC (Federal Taxpayer Registry) and other official business documentation.
The CRT and mobile operators affirm that all personal information collected will be protected and handled in compliance with the Federal Law on the Protection of Personal Data Held by Private Parties, similar to the current data protection standards for postpaid plan customers.
Initial analyses suggest that the creation and maintenance of this new national mobile registry may lead to an increase in phone service prices in Mexico during 2026.
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