Si no se registran las líneas se pierde la banca digital, alertan

Mexican regulators have issued a warning that users who fail to register their mobile phone lines risk losing access to digital banking services, as authorities work to ensure secure identification processes for financial transactions. The Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT), Mexico’s telecommunications regulator, emphasized the need for individuals to act promptly rather than waiting until the last minute to link their cellular lines with their personal information. As of the end of the first week in July, the CRT reported that 65 million 268 thousand 433 mobile lines had been successfully registered. However, this number leaves approximately 79 million more lines unregistered, many of which could be inactive or unused. The CRT has set a deadline of December for all users to complete the registration process, aiming to avoid service disruptions and ensure continued access to digital banking platforms. The push for mobile line registration aligns with broader efforts by the Bank of Mexico (Banxico) to reduce reliance on cash through standardized payment processes via mobile applications, regardless of the financial institution used. This initiative supports Mexico's national strategy of promoting financial inclusion through digitalization, effectively transforming each mobile device into a virtual bank branch. According to data from the Comisión Nacional Bancaria y de Valores (CNBV), there were 105.8 million mobile banking contracts as of the end of last year, compared to 144 million mobile lines reported by the CRT. While the disparity highlights the potential for growth, it also underscores the challenge of ensuring that all mobile users are properly registered for digital banking purposes. Registration of a mobile line requires users to provide personal identification such as an INE card, CURP, or passport under the name of the account holder. Failure to complete this step can result in the loss of digital banking services, including electronic banking and two-factor authentication via SMS for social media and messaging platforms. Both the Asociación de Bancos de México (ABM) and the Comisión Nacional para la Protección y Defensa de los Usuarios de Servicios Financieros (Condusef) have previously warned that linking a mobile line is essential for validating user identity and maintaining active digital banking access. This is particularly crucial for prepaid users who may not have completed the necessary registration steps. The CRT has extended the deadline for registration to December to prevent system overload and allow sufficient time for individuals to complete the process while recovering voice and data services immediately. According to Norma Solano Rodríguez, the head of the CRT, the registration system ensures users retain critical services such as electronic banking and SMS-based two-factor authentication. In an interview with El Universal, Solano Rodríguez stressed the importance of the registration process as a key public policy measure aimed at enhancing security in mobile communications and protecting individuals' assets. By linking digital identity with the device, the CRT aims to mitigate fraud, identity theft, and other threats within the digital ecosystem. Additional measures are being introduced to further protect consumers against fraud and extortion, including regulations targeting the SMS market, where spam and fraudulent messages pose risks to users. These initiatives aim to create a safer environment for digital interactions and reinforce trust in online services. The CRT continues to monitor the progress of mobile line registrations and will assess how many lines remain unused or inactive. With over 144 million mobile lines currently in circulation, the focus remains on ensuring that all users can securely access digital banking services without interruption.