Since October 2025, Ireland's Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has enforced mandatory sender ID registration for all A2P SMS delivered to Irish mobile numbers. For UK businesses sending messages to customers in the Republic of Ireland, this is a significant change — unregistered sender IDs are now blocked.
What changed and why
ComReg introduced the Sender ID Registry to combat SMS fraud and protect Irish consumers from smishing attacks. Ireland had seen a sharp rise in fraudulent text messages impersonating banks, delivery companies, and government services. The registry ensures that every alphanumeric sender ID used on Irish networks is traceable to a verified business entity.
The key requirements:
- Every alphanumeric sender ID used for A2P messaging to Irish numbers must be registered in the ComReg Sender ID Registry
- Registration is done through OPAs (Originating Participating Aggregators) — the SMS providers that connect businesses to Irish mobile networks
- Unregistered sender IDs are blocked — messages simply will not be delivered
- Each sender ID must be linked to a verified business entity with a legitimate use case
- Numeric sender IDs (long codes and short codes) are not affected — the registry applies specifically to alphanumeric sender IDs
What is an OPA?
An OPA (Originating Participating Aggregator) is an SMS provider that has been approved by ComReg to register sender IDs on behalf of its business customers. Not all SMS providers are OPAs — only those that have been vetted and approved by ComReg can submit registrations directly.
Faretext is a registered OPA, meaning we can register your sender ID directly with ComReg and ensure your messages to Irish numbers continue to be delivered. This is a significant advantage — businesses using non-OPA providers face additional intermediary steps and potential delays.
How this affects UK businesses
If your business sends SMS to customers in the Republic of Ireland — whether for marketing campaigns, notifications, appointment reminders, or two-factor authentication — you need to take action:
- If you're already a Faretext customer: Contact us and we will register your sender ID with ComReg on your behalf. The process typically takes a few working days.
- If you're using another provider: Check whether they are a registered OPA. If they are not, your messages to Irish numbers may already be failing silently.
- If you're not sure: Check your delivery reports for messages to +353 numbers. A sudden drop in delivery rates after October 2025 likely indicates your sender ID is not registered.
The registration process
Through Faretext, sender ID registration is straightforward:
- Confirm your business details — your business name, registration number, and contact information
- Specify your sender ID(s) — the alphanumeric name that appears on recipients' phones (e.g., "YourBrand")
- Describe your message types — whether you send marketing, transactional, OTP, or notification messages
- We submit to ComReg — Faretext handles the registration as your OPA, with no direct ComReg interaction needed from you
- Registration confirmed — typically within 3-5 working days, after which your messages will deliver normally
You can register multiple sender IDs if your business uses different brands or departments for different message types.
What happens if you do not register?
The consequences are clear: unregistered messages are blocked at the network level. They are not delivered, and in many cases, you will not receive a failure notification — the messages simply disappear. This means:
- Marketing campaigns to Irish customers will fail silently, wasting budget and missing audiences
- Transactional notifications like order confirmations and delivery updates will not reach customers
- Authentication codes will not arrive, locking Irish users out of your services
- Appointment reminders will fail, leading to increased no-show rates for Irish clients
Is this the start of a wider trend?
Ireland is not alone. Sender ID registration is becoming the global norm, driven by the need to protect consumers from SMS fraud:
- India: DLT (Distributed Ledger Technology) registration has been mandatory since 2021
- Australia: ACMA is launching a sender ID register from July 2026
- United States: 10DLC registration is mandatory for all A2P messaging
- Middle East: UAE and Saudi Arabia require sender ID pre-registration
- Singapore: Full sender ID registry launched in January 2023
- Philippines: SIM registration and sender ID rules tightened in 2023
For UK businesses sending international SMS, staying on top of country-specific regulations is essential. As regulations tighten globally, working with a provider that actively manages compliance in each market becomes a competitive advantage rather than a nice-to-have.
How Faretext helps
As a registered OPA, Faretext offers a complete compliance service for Irish messaging:
- Direct registration — we submit your sender ID to ComReg without intermediaries
- Compliance monitoring — we track regulatory changes across all markets you send to
- Delivery reporting — full visibility into message delivery status for Irish numbers via our SMS API
- Fraud prevention — our platform actively monitors for AIT and smishing to protect your sender reputation
What to do now
If you send SMS to Irish numbers, ensure your sender ID is registered. As a registered OPA, Faretext handles the entire process for you — no paperwork, no direct interaction with ComReg needed.
Connect with Faretext to register your sender ID, or call our team on 0114 294 5993 if you have questions about Irish SMS delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register if I only send transactional SMS to Ireland?
Yes. The ComReg Sender ID Registry applies to all A2P messages sent to Irish mobile numbers, regardless of whether they are marketing, transactional, or authentication messages. If you use an alphanumeric sender ID, it must be registered.
How long does registration take?
Through Faretext, sender ID registration with ComReg typically takes 3-5 working days. We recommend registering as soon as possible to avoid any disruption to your Irish messaging.
Can I register multiple sender IDs?
Yes. If your business uses different sender IDs for different brands, products, or message types, each one can be registered separately through your Faretext account.
Does this affect SMS sent from Ireland to the UK?
No. The ComReg registry specifically governs A2P messages delivered to Irish mobile numbers. Messages sent from Ireland to UK numbers are governed by UK regulations and Ofcom guidelines.
What if my current provider is not a registered OPA?
If your provider is not a registered OPA, they must work through an intermediary to register your sender ID, which can add complexity and delays. Consider switching to a provider like Faretext that has direct OPA status for faster, more reliable registration. Check our pricing to compare.
