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If you’ve recently sent text messages to United Kingdom (UK) mobile numbers using international long codes. Here’s what you need to know:
- Effective from June 1, 2023, UK network operators will block SMS messages sent with international long codes.
- This change is happening because UK network operators consider the use of international long codes for Application-To-Person (A2P) SMS as an abuse of Person-To-Person (P2P) routes. To comply, SMS messages to the UK must be sent with a local number.
What do you need to do? #
- Before June 1, 2023, use a local UK number to send A2P messages to the UK:
- If you are on LC Phone and not sure how to buy an SMS-capable number, please reach out to support so we can buy a mobile UK number for you.
- If you are not on LC Phone, follow these steps in the Twilio Console:
- Develop > Phone numbers > Buy a number > Country set to UK > Un-check Voice capabilities
- This will return a list of numbers you can buy for receiving messages
What if you don’t take action? #
Failure to take action will result in the blockage of SMS messages sent to the UK using international long codes starting from June 1, 2023.
