Comreg SMS "likely scam" texts

This is one of the scenarios that bothered me. I think they are basically saying you should "find a completely new platform" - ie one based in this country which knows about this system, which may be more expensive etc etc. I suspect the effect (whether it was intended or not) will be to increase costs and reduce competition. It reminds me a bit when they made it illegal to pay to have a burglar alarm installed by someone not registered with the Private Security Authority - another absurd restriction that grinds the gears of commerce in the name of "security".

At least you have the possibility to do something about it. The other scenario that has no workaround is the user of a service based outside of Ireland using SMS texts for 2FA and like the platform you mentioned, does not care about Ireland and isn't going to sign up to this system. Their users based here could end up high and dry if there is no alternative authentication mechanism. Longer term, this kind of mess is only hastening the end of non IP based messaging imo.

I don't think they ever had a handle on the big picture and how it was going to be enforced.

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2025/0916/1533822-scam-texts-delay/

It looks like part of the system is going to implemented anyway on Oct 3, which will result in some SMS texts being blocked.

(4) Relevant Undertakings that are MSPs but are not Participating MSPs, or that do not have a Network MSP applying Decision 1, 2 and 3 on their SMS traffic on their behalf, shall not deliver any SMS bearing a Sender ID to an Irish number.

and

(9) Undertakings that are MSPs must block any SMS bearing an originating number in the Irish number range, fixed, mobile or a short code, when presented for delivery from an SMSC which is not operated by or on behalf of an Irish MSP.

These measures might fix the fake DHL texts illustrated earlier in this thread. There could be some legitimate users of foreign based services affected by (9) though.

Not sure if this actually happens, but what if the user of the (foreign based) service is the owner of the number and they have confirmed they own it through some offline mechanism? They still want replies to go to their number.

If by "from an Irish number" you mean from a mobile device, registered on an Irish network with an Irish number, over the air, then fair enough.

But, if they are going to allow Irish SMSC's to effectively fake Irish sender addresses, through other channels, but not allow foreign SMSC's to do it, then that would be discriminatory.