Important Changes Coming to Toll-Free Number Registrations
Carriers are tightening toll-free verification requirements beginning January 1, 2026, as part of an industry-wide effort to reduce spam, combat phishing, and increase trust across the messaging ecosystem.
If your business sends SMS via toll-free numbers, especially for notifications, support, 2FA, or customer engagement, these updates affect how you register new numbers going forward.
These updates originate from industry-wide toll-free messaging requirements implemented by carriers and their approved aggregators. The changes are being adopted consistently across the messaging ecosystem.
Below is a breakdown of what’s changing, who’s impacted, and what you should do now to avoid delays in the new year.
What’s changing for toll-free number verification?
Starting January 1, 2026, all new toll-free verification submissions must include three additional fields:
1. Business Registration Number (BRN)
A government-issued identifier for your business. Examples include:
Employer Identification Number (EIN)
Business Number / Tax ID
Equivalent legal identifier in your operating country
2. Issuing country of business registration
The country where your business is legally registered.
3. Entity type
Your organization’s legal classification:
Public Profit
Private Profit
Non-Profit
Government
Sole Proprietor
These values must be included for every new toll-free verification submitted on or after January 1, 2026.
Will this change affect existing toll-free numbers?
In most cases, no action is required.
Already verified toll-free numbers are not impacted.
No retroactive updates are required for previously approved submissions.
Until December 31, 2025, the new fields are optional, but highly recommended to include to prevent back-and-forth or delays.
If you plan to register additional toll-free numbers in early 2026, adding these fields now ensures a smoother transition.
Why are these new requirements being introduced?
Carriers and messaging ecosystem partners are implementing stronger identity verification standards to:
Reduce spam and phishing through better business authentication
Bad actors frequently misuse toll-free channels for fraud, which increases filtering and negatively impacts legitimate senders.
Improve deliverability for verified, compliant businesses
More complete business identity data increases trust at the carrier level, which can lead to cleaner throughput and more consistent delivery.
Strengthen network integrity and transparency
Similar to the evolution of 10DLC requirements, toll-free verification is moving toward higher assurance and better accountability across all senders.
These updates are part of a long-term effort to make business messaging more secure and reliable for both senders and recipients.
How to prepare before January 1, 2026
If you plan to register new toll-free numbers soon, here’s what you should do:
1. Gather business documentation
Have your BRN, issuing country, and entity type ready for submission.
2. Update internal processes
If you manage messaging for multiple departments, customers, or clients, ensure your workflows include these new fields by default.
3. Submit new registrations early when possible
If you're onboarding new numbers before the end of 2025, include the new fields even though they are optional. This reduces chances of carrier review delays.
4. Reach out if you have questions
If you have questions about toll-free verification or want guidance on preparing for the 2026 updates, submit a support ticket through your SignalWire Space and our team will help you navigate the requirements. Alternatively, join our developer community on Discord.
FAQ: 2026 toll-free messaging changes
Do I need to verify my existing toll-free numbers in 2026?
No. Existing verified toll-free numbers are not affected by the new requirements. Only new toll-free verification submissions made on or after January 1, 2026 must include the new fields.
What happens if I submit a toll-free verification after January 1, 2026 without the new fields?
Your verification will be rejected or delayed. Carriers will not review submissions missing a Business Registration Number, Issuing Country, or Entity Type.
What counts as a Business Registration Number (BRN)?
Your BRN is a government-issued identifier for your business. In the U.S., this is typically your Employer Identification Number (EIN). Other countries may use a Business Number, Tax ID, or corporate registration number.
Is the BRN the same as my 10DLC brand registration information?
No. While both require business identity details, toll-free verification is a separate process with its own requirements. You must provide your BRN as part of toll-free verification regardless of your 10DLC status.
Do these changes impact message deliverability?
Indirectly, yes. Properly verified toll-free numbers experience higher deliverability and fewer false-positive blocks because carriers trust fully authenticated senders. Missing or incomplete business information can cause delays or filtering.
Does this affect how many messages I can send from a toll-free number?
The verification requirements do not change volume limits directly, but unverified or incomplete submissions may result in throttling, filtering, or blocked traffic. Fully verified numbers maintain consistent throughput.
Does this change the way I submit toll-free verifications with SignalWire?
The process remains the same. Simply include the three new fields beginning January 1, 2026. SignalWire will handle the carrier submission.
