SMS Messages from International Long Codes to the UK Will Be Blocked Starting July 30 2024


SMS Sent from International Long Codes to the UK Will Be Blocked

Important Announcement

Effective Date: July 30, 2024

UK carriers have implemented significant changes in messaging traffic policies originating from international long codes to UK phone numbers. This change aligns with their stance that the use of international long codes for Application-to-Person (A2P) SMS is an abuse of Person-to-Person (P2P) routes.

Here are the key highlights of this update:

  1. Carrier Restrictions:
    • In 2023, UK carriers began blocking all SMS messaging traffic sent from international long codes to UK phone numbers on the BT and Sky Mobile networks.
    • Starting July 30, 2024, all SMS messages sent to the UK via international long codes, regardless of carrier, will be blocked. Moving forward, SMS messages to the UK must be sent via a domestic UK long code, an Alphanumeric Sender ID, or a short code.

Action Required

What do you need to do?

By July 30, 2024, start using UK long codes to replace your international long codes for sending A2P messages to the UK. Here’s how:

  1. UK Long Code: This option allows for two-way messaging using local, national, mobile, or toll-free UK numbers. UK long codes are ideal replacements for international long codes.

    • Provisioning Time: 48 hours.
  2. Review Know Your Customer (KYC) in the UK: Understand and comply with the KYC requirements necessary for obtaining a UK number.

    • KYC Requirements Brief:
      • Navigate to Location Settings -> Phone Numbers Tab.
      • Create a Regulatory Bundle / Address based on your desired number type in the UK and submit it for approval.
      • Once approved, proceed to buy a UK number.

Screenshot of KYC Process
Screenshot of KYC Process

What If You Don’t Take Action?

If you don’t implement these alternatives, all SMS messages sent to the UK from international long codes will be blocked starting July 30, 2024.

Note:
For existing contacts linked to a US number, ensure that you create an agent, assign a UK number to that agent, and subsequently assign all UK customers to this new user.

For more details, please check out our Support Documentation – Know Your Customer (KYC) in the United Kingdom.


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Thank you for adapting to this important update. For any questions, feel free to reach out to us at Contact Us.


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