Mexico extends mandatory cell phone registration deadline to year-end

Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) has extended the deadline for the mandatory registration of mobile phone lines to December 31, 2026. The decision comes as a result of significantly low user compliance, with fewer than 50% of all cellular lines registered nationwide.

The extended period applies to both prepaid and postpaid users who have not yet linked their phone numbers to their official identification. However, the new deadline varies for each user, determined by the last digit of their mobile number. This staggered approach aims to register different percentages of the population over the remaining months of the year.

For example, lines ending in '0' have until August 15, while those ending in '9' have until December 31. The IFT has stated that this will be the only extension granted for the registration process.

After the respective deadlines pass, mobile phone companies will suspend services for unregistered lines within 72 hours. Users will only be able to make calls to emergency numbers, citizen assistance lines, and their service provider. They will also still receive national alerts, such as those for earthquakes. The measure aims to enhance security and combat illicit activities by linking phone numbers to verified identities.

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Once the deadline corresponding to each digit has passed, telephone companies will suspend the service of those lines that have not been linked within the next 72 hours, and they will only be able to make calls to emergency numbers, citizen attention, and their telephone company, as well as receive alerts in case of an earthquake.