Keep Calm and Stay Registered: Key Regulatory Updates for May 2025

We know that staying on top of telecom regulations and carrier changes probably isn’t the most thrilling part of your day—but it is an important one. And we’re here to help make it easier.

Over the past few weeks, a number of regulatory and carrier changes have popped up around the world, from updated Sender ID requirements to new voice authentication rules. These updates may impact how you communicate with your customers—especially when it comes to SMS and voice traffic.

So we’ve pulled everything together in one place: what’s changing, what you need to know, and what to do next to stay ahead of any disruptions.

Let’s dive in.

Global Trends: The Push for Sender ID Registration is Accelerating

Across the board, regulators and telecom operators are tightening rules around Alphanumeric Sender IDs. The goal? To crack down on spam and spoofing while making it easier for consumers to trust the messages they receive.

Here’s where new Sender ID registration rules are going into effect:

• Czech Republic: Blocking of unregistered IDs and long codes begins July 14, 2025.
• Ireland: Major changes are coming in two phases—July 3, 2025 (unregistered IDs labeled “Likely Scam”) and October 1, 2025 (unregistered messages blocked entirely).
• Qatar: Starting August 11, 2025, unregistered Alphanumeric Sender IDs and international long codes will be blocked.
• Tanzania: Blocking of unregistered IDs and long codes begins June 16, 2025.
• Verify (OTPs to Ireland): From July 1, 2025, unregistered IDs will be replaced by Twilio Verify shared senders.

What to do: If you’re sending SMS traffic to any of these countries, register your Sender IDs now. Many countries require Know Your Customer (KYC) details and documents, and approval can take up to 21 business days—so don’t wait.

U.S. Voice Traffic: FCC Expands the Definition of “Voice Service Provider”

The FCC’s new STIR/SHAKEN rules could change how some businesses handle outbound voice traffic in the U.S. If your business places PSTN calls on behalf of others—or if you control the phone numbers used—you might now be considered a Voice Service Provider (VSP).

Key requirements for VSPs include:

• Obtaining your own SPC token and STIR/SHAKEN certificate

• Signing outbound calls yourself

• Assigning attestation levels (A, B, or C)

Enforcement may begin as early as late June 2025.

What to do: Consult your legal counsel to determine whether these new obligations apply to your business. If they do, Twilio can help with tools like PASSPorT Pass-Through and the upcoming Bring Your Own Token (BYOT) feature. For more information, check out our FCC Rule Changes blog.

Brazil, Ireland, and Belgium: New Requirements for Phone Number Purchases

Due to new regulations aimed at protecting against rising scam traffic, new KYC requirements are being introduced in Brazil, Ireland, and Belgium:

• Brazil: As of April 4, 2025, all phone numbers must be linked to an approved Regulatory Compliance (RC) Bundle. Any Brazilian numbers not linked to an approved RC Bundle will be reclaimed beginning June 2025.

• Ireland: Starting May 6, 2025, customers must submit and receive approval for an Irish Regulatory Compliance (RC) Bundle before purchasing local numbers.

• Belgium: All mobile numbers must be tied to verified customer information by May 21, 2025, or they risk being reclaimed by May 31, 2025.

What to do: Before purchasing new Brazilian or Irish numbers—or if you're managing existing Belgian mobile numbers—make sure the required Regulatory Compliance (RC) Bundles are approved. This helps prevent delays, errors, or loss of access to your numbers.

Your Takeaways: What You Should Be Doing Now

1. Audit your phone numbers and Sender IDs: Identify any unregistered Sender IDs or phone numbers tied to countries with upcoming deadlines.
2. Register early: Most registrations, including document review and approval, can take up to 2–3 weeks.
3. Check with legal counsel: If you’re affected by the FCC’s new voice rules, legal interpretation is key.
4. Use available tools: Leverage features in the Twilio Console to track your application status and monitor delivery.

We know updates like these aren’t always simple—but we hope this roundup helps you feel more prepared. At the end of the day, our goal is to help you stay connected and stay confident.

Need help navigating a change?

We’re here to support you—our Guidelines docs are a great place to start, and our support teams are always here to help.