Overview
As a part of the multi-pronged effort by .The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and other stakeholders to further safeguard SMS as a communications channel is set to implement the following new measure on SMS Sender IDs following a public consultation
Registration with the Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry (“SSIR”) will be mandatory for all organisations that use SMS Sender IDs, so that only bona fide organisations can use such Sender IDs.
Current SSIR Policy
The current SSIR is a voluntary regime, which means only organisations that want to proactively protect their Sender IDs register with the SSIR.
New SSIR Policy (2023)
With effect from 31st January 2023, registration will be made mandatory. This means that only bona fide Sender IDs belonging to organisations, will be allowed.
All other Sender IDs will be blocked.
The full registration requirement will take effect on 31 January 2023. This will build stronger anti-scam capabilities
What do you need to do?
Local Singapore Companies:
For Organisations that wish to send SMS Messages with Alphanumeric Sender IDs to Singapore users must:
- Register Sender IDs with the SSIR; and
- Only use Aggregators who participate in the SSIR.
- Registration with SSIR will Require a Singapore UEN
Foreign Companies:
For foreign Organisations that wish to send SMS Messages with Alphanumeric Sender IDs to Singapore users:
Foreign-based businesses can obtain a Singapore UEN by registering with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (“ACRA”). A foreign-based business can either register as local subsidiary or register as a foreign branch office. Companies registered with ACRA will have to comply with the statutory and disclosure requirements of the Companies Act. Details on the ACRA registration process can be found on the ACRA website.
You may reserve your Sender IDs via the SSIR portal on a first-come-first-served basis.
What happens if you dont register Sender ID with SSIR?
What you need to know first is that the The Full SSIR Regime will only apply to SMS with alphanumeric Sender IDs (i.e., SMS labels with alphabets or a combination of alphabets and numbers typically sent through applications).
It will not apply to SMS labels with mobile numbers only that are sent via SIM cards and the Sender ID is tied to a unique mobile number.
If you are sending SMS using alphanumeric Sender ID, and you do not register before 31st January 2023 then:
All non-registered SMS SenderIDs after 31 January 2023 will be channelled to a Sender ID with the header “LikelySCAM”. This is akin to a “spam filter and spam bin” and will be in place for around 6 months.
SSIR Registration Fees
The SSIR registration fees are:
- One-time set up fee of $500; and
- Annual fee of $200 per Sender ID.
