Mexico City — Mexico’s telecommunications regulator is expected to grant a 120-day extension for mandatory mobile phone line registration, pushing the deadline to October 28, 2026, as more than 82 million lines remain unregistered days before the original June 30 cutoff.
The Federal Telecommunications Commission (CRT) is set to announce the extension amid operational difficulties and low registration progress, according to industry sources cited by La Silla Rota.
As of June 19, only 61.4 million of the 144 million active mobile lines had been registered, according to CRT data. Industry specialists estimate the actual number could reach 160 million when including all mobile virtual network operators.
Under current rules, unregistered lines would be suspended starting July 1, 2026, blocking calls, messages, and mobile services except for emergency calls.
Telecom companies said they have the technical capacity to continue registration but warned that a mass disconnection on the original deadline would be extremely complex. They have asked regulators to reinterpret guidelines to avoid widespread service suspension.
The extension also responds to criticism from specialists and organizations. Irene Levy, president of the Telecommunications Observatory, said low public participation reflects poor social acceptance of the measure and concerns over personal data handling.
Uncertainty remains over operational aspects such as registering minors, number portability processes, and database protection against cyberattacks.
Analysts say disconnecting over 80 million lines would carry high political, social, and operational costs, making an extension practically inevitable.
Public Doubts and Distrust
The low registration rate also reflects lingering doubts among millions of users about the measure’s purpose and implications for privacy and daily phone use.
Melissa, a Mexico City resident who asked to be identified only by her first name, said she hasn’t completed the process because she doesn’t understand the benefits or how her personal data will be used.
“I don’t really know what it’s for. I haven’t fully informed myself, and I don’t understand why I have to do it. I’m a bit afraid something will happen to my phone and I won’t be able to make calls,” she said.
Telecommunications and cybersecurity experts say lack of information and distrust over data protection have been key factors in the program’s slow progress.
