Mexico's CRT warns against using foreign eSIMs to bypass cell registration

The Mexican Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) has warned that using foreign eSIMs to bypass mandatory cellular registration will not exempt users from legal requirements. As part of a nationwide effort to link phone lines with the CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) to reduce fraud and extortion, users with numbers ending in 2 or 3 must complete registration by September 30.

The CRT noted that many data-only eSIMs are insufficient for users because they cannot receive phone calls or SMS authentication codes, which are essential for banking operations and digital platform validations. The agency warned that lines using eSIMs that fail to comply with the registration process could face suspension or blocking.