Introduction to the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT)
The Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT) is the telecommunications regulatory body in Mexico, responsible for overseeing and enforcing regulations within the telecommunications sector. Its primary goal is to ensure fair competition, transparency, and quality in telecommunications services for Mexican citizens.
New Lineaments for Mobile Line Identification
On December 8, the CRT approved new guidelines for identifying mobile phone lines. Starting January 9, 2026, every mobile line will need to be associated with a physical or legal person, eliminating anonymity that has allowed criminal activities.
Formalizing Existing Registration Practices
These new regulations formalize the existing registration practices by mobile service providers for postpaid services. This move aligns with international best practices to restore trust in cellular telephony.
Vincular Líneas Telefónicas Móviles de Entes Públicos
For public entities, mobile service providers will only record the name or trade name, RFC (Registro Federal de Contribuyentes), associated phone number, source of trust consulted, and the validation of identity result.
Validación de Identidad for Foreign Nationals
To validate the identity of foreign nationals, the following documents are required:
- Passport
- Temporary CURP (Clave Única de Registro de Población) for foreigners.
Vincular Líneas Telefónicas Móviles for Foreign Nationals
For foreign nationals, mobile service providers will only record the name, country of origin, passport number or temporary CURP for foreigners, associated phone number, and validation of identity result.
Impact on Telecommunications Sector and Citizens
These new guidelines aim to enhance security in the telecommunications sector by eliminating anonymity associated with mobile lines. This move is expected to reduce criminal activities such as fraud, harassment, and other illegal actions facilitated by untraceable mobile numbers.
By associating each mobile line with a verified identity, the CRT intends to restore trust in cellular telephony services. This will also help mobile service providers better understand their customer base, enabling them to tailor services and improve overall quality.
For foreign nationals residing in Mexico, these guidelines will ensure they can access mobile services without compromising security. By requiring passports or temporary CURP for identity validation, the CRT ensures that only legitimate individuals can obtain mobile lines.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT)? The CRT is Mexico’s telecommunications regulatory body responsible for overseeing and enforcing regulations within the telecommunications sector.
- When do these new guidelines take effect? The new guidelines will be implemented starting January 9, 2026.
- What information must be provided for line association? For both public entities and foreign nationals, providers will need the name, country of origin (for foreign nationals), passport number or temporary CURP, associated phone number, and validation of identity result.
- How will these guidelines impact citizens and foreign nationals? These guidelines aim to enhance security, reduce criminal activities, and restore trust in cellular telephony services. For foreign nationals, it ensures they can access mobile services with verified identities.
