Mexico Extends Mobile Line Registration Deadline to December 31

Mexico's telecommunications regulator, the CRT, has extended the deadline for registering mobile phone lines with personal identification data until December 31, aiming to increase the low participation rate. The initiative, launched in early 2026, seeks to curb fraud and extortion by eliminating anonymity in mobile communications.

Users whose phone numbers end in 0 are the first group required to complete the mandatory registration by August 15. The CRT has published a staggered schedule for the remaining numbers, based on the final digit, to manage the process. This applies to both prepaid and postpaid subscribers across all carriers, including AT&T, Telcel, and Movistar.

Subsequent deadlines include August 31 for numbers ending in 1, September 15 for those ending in 2, and so on, culminating with numbers ending in 9 on December 31. As of now, approximately 63 million out of 144.5 million active mobile lines have been registered, representing less than 50% of the total.

Authorities have warned that failure to comply with the registration deadlines will lead to a temporary suspension of mobile service and data access. During the suspension, users will only be able to make emergency calls and receive alerts, such as earthquake warnings. Full service will be restored once the registration is completed.

The registration process can be completed online via each carrier's platform or in person at authorized service centers. It requires a valid official identification, the CURP or RFC, and a facial biometric validation. The procedure is free of charge.