Definition
An SMS sender ID registry is a regulator or industry database in which organisations record the alphanumeric sender IDs they use, so that registered IDs display as the brand and unregistered or spoofed IDs can be labelled or blocked.
Several markets now run sender ID registries to fight SMS impersonation. In Singapore, organisations must register in the SGNIC SMS Sender ID Registry (SSIR) using their company UEN, and unregistered IDs are marked Likely-SCAM. Only Participating Aggregators, which are SMS aggregators licensed by IMDA, can handle registered sender IDs.
In Australia, ACMA says SMS with an unregistered sender ID has been shown as Unverified since 1 July 2026, and registering on the ACMA SMS Sender ID Register is how a brand name appears. You also authorise each provider you send through. In Hong Kong, OFCA's SMS Sender Registration Scheme, running since 28 December 2023, gives registered senders a # prefix; it is voluntary for the sender, and networks block # IDs that do not come from a registered sender.
In the UK there is no formal sender ID registry today according to our regulation data, but Ofcom's final rules require providers handling business messages to verify alphanumeric sender IDs from 15 July 2027. The MEF SMS SenderID Protection Registry is a separate industry scheme that lets brands protect their sender names against impersonation.
Rules, labels and dates differ by market and change often, so confirm them at onboarding. Our team prepares and files registrations with you; approval stays with the registry and operators.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to register a sender ID in Singapore?
Yes. Organisations sending SMS to Singapore numbers must register sender IDs in the SGNIC SSIR, and non-registered IDs are marked Likely-SCAM. Registered IDs can only be handled by Participating Aggregators licensed by IMDA.
What happens to unregistered sender IDs in Australia?
ACMA says that since 1 July 2026 SMS sent with an unregistered sender ID is shown to the recipient as Unverified. Register the ID on the ACMA SMS Sender ID Register and authorise your provider to keep the brand name visible.
Is a sender ID registry the same as the MEF registry in the UK?
No. The MEF SenderID Protection Registry is an industry scheme for brands to protect names against impersonation. It is separate from Ofcom's rules, which require sender ID verification by providers from 15 July 2027.