If you send text messages (SMS) to UK phone numbers using international numbers, there’s a big change coming that you need to know about. Starting July 30, 2024, UK carriers will block all SMS messages sent from international long codes to UK numbers. This change is happening because these carriers consider using international numbers for business-related texts (known as Application-To-Person or A2P messages) as misuse of personal texting routes.

What You Need to Know

Why Is This Happening?
UK carriers want to make sure that business messages are sent through proper channels. That's why they're blocking messages from international numbers used in a way that isn’t intended for business texting.

Who Is Affected?
This change affects anyone who sends business-related text messages to UK phone numbers from international long codes. It doesn’t matter which carrier you use; after July 30, 2024, these messages will not be delivered.

What You Need to Do

Switch to a UK Long Code:
To continue sending messages to the UK, you need to use a UK number. This could be a UK long code (a local, national, mobile, or toll-free UK number), an Alphanumeric Sender ID (a custom name or number that identifies who is sending the message), or a short code (a special, shorter number).

• UK Long Code: This is a two-way messaging option using local, national, mobile, or toll-free UK numbers, and is ideal for replacing international long codes.

• Provisioning Time: It takes about 48 hours to set up a UK long code.

• KYC Requirements: You’ll need to review the “Know Your Customer” (KYC) requirements in the UK to ensure compliance.

How to Set Up a UK Number:

1. Go to Settings: Navigate to the “Phone Numbers” tab.

2. Create a Regulatory Bundle/Address: Based on the type of UK number you want, create and submit it for approval.

3. Purchase a UK Number: Once approved, you can buy a UK number to use for messaging.

Why Is Action Important?

If you don’t switch to a UK long code, Alphanumeric Sender ID, or short code by July 30, 2024, your text messages to UK numbers will not be delivered.

Existing Contacts: For your existing UK contacts linked to a US number, create a new user with a UK number and assign all UK customers to this user to ensure continued communication.

Need More Information?

For more details, please check out our support document titled “Know Your Customer (KYC) in the United Kingdom.”