Mexico's mandatory phone registration deadline nears: What happens if you don't register?

Mexico's mandatory mobile phone registration deadline of June 30 is fast approaching, leaving thousands of users uncertain about the consequences of failing to comply. The federal government implemented the measure earlier this year, requiring both prepaid and postpaid users to register their lines. The goal is to enhance security mechanisms and reduce the misuse of mobile devices.

Millions of users are concerned as the deadline nears, with many still needing to complete the registration. A primary question is whether users will permanently lose ownership of their phone numbers if they do not register on time.

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Those who do not complete the procedure before the deadline will not automatically lose their line permanently. However, they will face service restrictions.

The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission has clarified that failure to register by the deadline will not result in immediate, permanent loss of the line. However, users will face significant service restrictions starting July 1. This includes the inability to make calls, send text messages, or use mobile data. Consequently, essential applications like WhatsApp, banking platforms, and authentication services, which rely on the phone number, will become inaccessible.

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Starting July 1, unregistered lines will lose access to calls, text messages, and mobile data.

While emergency calls will still be possible, users can regularize their situation by completing the registration to regain service. Permanent loss of a number would only occur if the line remains inactive for an extended period, subject to each phone company's policies on number recycling and reassignment.

The registration process requires users to link their phone number with their CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) and a valid official identification. This initiative aims to strengthen user identification and combat crimes associated with anonymous SIM card usage. Users can still complete the registration before the June 30 deadline through physical branches or the designated digital platforms.

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Permanent loss of the number could only occur if the line remains inactive for a prolonged period, according to the recycling and reassignment policies applied by each telephone company.