Mexico implements mandatory mobile line registration

Mexico's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) has implemented a mandatory staggered registration process for prepaid mobile lines, requiring users to link their numbers with their CURP or official identification to combat extortion and fraud.

As of August 19, 2026, approximately 9.7 million lines ending in '0' have been successfully linked, representing 79 percent of that specific block. The CRT expects to purge roughly 25 million inactive or unused lines from the system. For users whose service was suspended due to missing the deadline, the CRT clarified that numbers are not permanently lost; service can be reactivated by completing the registration through mobile operators.

The registration schedule is based on the last digit of the phone number. Following the '0' block, lines ending in '1' must be registered by August 31, 2026. Failure to comply within 72 hours of the deadline may result in the temporary suspension of calls, SMS, and data services, though emergency calls to 911 and other specific services remain available. Users can complete the process digitally via operator platforms or in person at customer service centers.