A customer sees “ABC Bank”, “ABC Clinic” or “ABC Retail” at the top of an SMS and immediately knows who the message is from.
That familiar Sender ID can make a transactional alert, appointment reminder or promotional message easier to recognize. But in Singapore, businesses cannot simply choose an alphanumeric Sender ID and start sending.
If you want to send SMS to Singapore mobile users using an alphanumeric Sender ID, you generally need to register that Sender ID with the Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry (SSIR).
For businesses, SSIR registration is an important step in setting up branded SMS communications in Singapore. It also means that choosing an SMS provider is about more than message delivery – you need to understand how Sender ID registration, aggregators and anti-scam controls fit together.
In this guide, we’ll look at how the SMS Sender ID Registry works, who needs to register, how SSIR aggregators fit into the process, and what businesses should know about Singapore’s wider SMS anti-scam measures.
Note for Philippine businesses: the SSIR is Singapore’s registry and applies when you send SMS to Singapore mobile users. If your fintech, e-commerce or BPO operation serves customers in Singapore, this guide shows how a verified Sender ID helps customers trust your messages.
What Is the Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry?
The Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry (SSIR) is the national registry for SMS Sender IDs. It was established in March 2022 to help protect consumers from fraudulent SMS messages that impersonate legitimate businesses and organizations by spoofing their Sender IDs.
The registry is operated by the Singapore Network Information Centre (SGNIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).
So what exactly is a Sender ID in this context?
A Sender ID is the name or identifier displayed to a customer as the sender of an SMS. Instead of seeing an unfamiliar mobile number, a customer might see ABC BANK or ABCSTORE.
For businesses, a recognizable Sender ID can make an SMS easier for customers to identify. But under Singapore’s Full SSIR Regime, organizations using alphanumeric Sender IDs to send SMS to Singapore mobile users must register those Sender IDs with the SSIR and send their messages through participating aggregators.
The Full SSIR Regime covers SMS using alphanumeric Sender IDs, including five-digit numeric short codes beginning with 7.
It does not apply in the same way to SMS sent using a mobile number as the Sender ID through a SIM card, where the Sender ID is tied to a unique mobile number.
The key point for businesses is simple: if you want your SMS to appear under a branded Sender ID in Singapore, SSIR registration is an important part of setting up your messaging.
When Did the Full SSIR Regime Take Effect?
IMDA implemented the Full SMS Sender ID Registry (SSIR) Regime on 31 January 2023. From this date, organizations using alphanumeric Sender IDs to send SMS to Singapore mobile users were required to register their Sender IDs with the SSIR and use participating aggregators.
During the initial transition period, SMS sent using non-registered Sender IDs were labeled “Likely-SCAM” instead of displaying the organization’s intended Sender ID. This gave businesses time to complete their registration while alerting recipients that the Sender ID had not been verified through the registry.
This is still relevant for businesses today. According to the current SSIR portal, non-registered Sender IDs continue to be marked “Likely-SCAM”.
If your branded Sender ID has not been registered, customers may not see the brand name you intended them to see. Instead, the message may carry a warning label that can affect how recipients perceive and respond to it.
Read More: Sender ID Registration Regime (SSIR) and the battle against SMS fraud: How 8×8 SMS APIs can help
How Do I Register an SMS Sender ID in Singapore?
Registration takes place through the SSIR portal operated by SGNIC. For a business setting up a branded SMS Sender ID in Singapore, the process generally involves the following steps:
1. Check that your organization is eligible
Your organization needs a Singapore-issued Unique Entity Number (UEN) based on its record with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) for SSIR registration.
2. Choose a participating SMS aggregator
Before registering with the SSIR, identify the SMS aggregator you will use to deliver messages to Singapore mobile users.
The SSIR portal requires you to provide the name of your participating aggregator and advises organizations to ensure that their SMS aggregator is IMDA-licensed.
3. Create your SSIR account
You will need to provide details such as:
- Registered organization name and address
- UEN
- Designated administrator’s name and contact details
- Participating aggregator
- Corppass
- Sender ID(s) you want to register
You will also need to accept the applicable SSIR terms and user agreement.
4. Submit your Sender ID
Once your organization’s account is set up, you can submit the Sender ID you want to register.
Sender IDs are assessed according to the SSIR Rules of Registration, so check the applicable requirements before submitting your chosen identifier.
5. Wait for SGNIC’s review
SGNIC will review your organization’s account and Sender ID application.
If the application is accepted, you will receive a notification to proceed with the applicable payment.
6. Pay the applicable fees
SSIR registration involves both account and Sender ID fees.
As of 2 January 2026, the SSIR lists a S$545 one-time account set-up fee, inclusive of GST. A whitelisted Sender ID costs S$218 per Sender ID per year, while a blacklisted Sender ID costs S$54.50 per year.
7. Use the registered Sender ID through a participating aggregator
Once your Sender ID is registered, your SMS traffic needs to be routed through an SMS aggregator participating in the SSIR regime.
8×8 CPaaS is a Participating Aggregator for Singapore and can support SMS traffic using registered Sender IDs once the required registration and whitelisting processes have been completed.
How Long Does SSIR Registration Take?
SSIR registration is not an instant configuration change. According to SGNIC, the entire process from account registration to the commencement of protection for your Sender ID typically takes approximately 19 calendar days, provided all required supporting documents are submitted correctly and payments are made promptly.
If you are planning an SMS campaign or product launch, it is therefore best to complete your SSIR registration in advance, rather than waiting until the last minute to register your Sender ID.
How Much Does SSIR Registration Cost?
The current SSIR fee structure, applicable from 2 January 2026, is:
| SSIR fee | Current cost, including GST |
| Organization account set-up | S$545 one-time |
| Whitelist Sender ID | S$218 per Sender ID per year |
| Blacklist Sender ID | S$54.50 per Sender ID per year |
| Reactivation of a suspended Sender ID | S$545 administrative fee |
Businesses should check the SSIR portal for the most current fee details before budgeting for a new Sender ID or renewal.
What Is the Difference Between a Sender ID, SSIR and SMS Aggregator?
These terms refer to different parts of the Singapore SMS ecosystem.
| Term | What it means | Function |
| Sender ID | The name or identifier displayed as the SMS sender | Identifies the organization to the recipient |
| SSIR | Singapore’s SMS Sender ID Registry | Registers and manages Sender IDs |
| SMS aggregator | A messaging provider that connects businesses to SMS delivery networks | Routes SMS towards mobile networks |
| Participating Aggregator | An aggregator participating in Singapore’s SSIR regime | Enables organizations to send registered Sender ID SMS through the required channel |
| IMDA | Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority | Regulates and oversees the telecommunications and media environment, including relevant SMS anti-scam measures |
| SGNIC | Singapore Network Information Centre | Operates the SSIR |
The distinction matters because registering a Sender ID is only one part of setting up SMS delivery in Singapore. Your organization must also use a participating aggregator to send SMS with registered Sender IDs to Singapore mobile users.
In other words, SSIR registration establishes which Sender ID you can use; the aggregator provides the infrastructure to deliver the SMS.
Which SMS Aggregators Are Registered Under the SSIR in Singapore?
IMDA has published a list of Participating Aggregators (PAs) under the SSIR. These are SMS aggregators licensed by IMDA to deliver SMSes with Sender IDs registered with SGNIC:
Before choosing an SMS provider, verify that the aggregator is currently listed as a Participating Aggregator and confirm that it supports your intended Sender ID and messaging requirements.
SSIR requirements and participating providers can change, so it is worth checking the current list to be certain of your selection.
What Are IMDA’s Anti-Scam Measures for SMS in Singapore?
Singapore’s approach to SMS scams goes beyond Sender ID registration. IMDA has introduced multiple layers of protection across SIM registration, SMS filtering, Sender ID verification, network-level scanning and the blocking of malicious websites and international communications.
The aim is straightforward: make it harder for scammers to impersonate legitimate organizations, distribute malicious links and reach potential victims at scale.
In addition to the SSIR, other measures IMDA has implemented to combat scams include:
Enhanced SIM registration
SIM registration is one of the first lines of defence against the misuse of mobile services for scams.
Singapore has strengthened its SIM registration requirements, including a limit of 10 postpaid SIM cards per individual across all telcos, effective 28 February 2026. The objective is to make it harder for scammers to acquire large numbers of SIM cards and use them for fraudulent activity.
This adds an identity layer upstream of SMS delivery: before a mobile number can be used, the subscriber and registration information must meet the applicable requirements.
For businesses, this is part of a wider ecosystem of controls designed to reduce the use of telecommunications services for fraudulent activity.
Blocking known spam numbers and malicious links
IMDA’s anti-scam measures have also included blocking known scam and spam numbers and links.
Since 2019, telcos have implemented measures to block known scam-related numbers and SMS containing links to known malicious websites. This means that anti-scam protection does not depend solely on identifying who sent a message. The content and destination of a message can also be assessed.
If your business includes links in its SMS communications, it’s important to ensure those links lead to genuine, secure destinations to avoid creating unnecessary delivery or trust issues.
In-network scanning for scam SMS
Singapore’s telcos also use in-network scanning to identify and block scam SMS.
Introduced in 2022, this adds another layer of protection before a message reaches the recipient. Instead of relying entirely on customers to recognize a suspicious SMS after it arrives, potentially fraudulent messages can be assessed at the network level.
Blocking international SMS and calls
Since mid-2024, mobile users in Singapore have also been able to opt to block incoming SMS and calls from international numbers through telco-provided controls.
Singaporean consumers now have an additional way to reduce exposure to scams originating from overseas numbers.
For businesses operating internationally, this makes it important to distinguish between legitimate cross-border communications and local Singapore messaging. Your business should work with your messaging provider to understand how international traffic is routed and displayed to Singapore recipients.
The result of these steps is a layered anti-scam framework, rather than a single filter. In 2025 alone, IMDA’s anti-scam measures successfully blocked more than 260 million potential scam calls and 40 million SMS messages.
For businesses, the key point is that SSIR registration is only one part of the process. Registering your Sender ID establishes your identity within the SSIR framework, but your SMS may still be subject to network-level scanning, filtering and other anti-scam controls.
That is why businesses need to consider both Sender ID registration and the way their SMS is delivered. Using a participating SMS aggregator, keeping your Sender ID information accurate, and ensuring your message content and links are legitimate can all help support a smoother messaging experience.
How Can 8×8 CPaaS Help Businesses Manage SMS Campaigns in Singapore?
For businesses operating in Singapore, choosing an SMS provider involves more than messaging reach and delivery rates. The provider’s security practices, Sender ID support, routing capabilities and integration options also need to be considered.
8×8 CPaaS combines messaging capabilities with security and operational controls designed to support business communications at scale.
- CSA Cyber Trust certification: 8×8 is among the early recipients recognized by Singapore’s Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA) for good cybersecurity practices. The certification reflects 8×8’s focus on maintaining secure, private and reliable communications APIs.
- Tier-1 SMS aggregator with direct operator connections: 8×8 CPaaS connects directly to local mobile operators in Singapore and operators across global markets, without relying on additional third-party aggregators. This gives 8×8 CPaaS greater control over the delivery path and helps provide stable, high-quality connectivity for business SMS.
- 8×8’s Self-Provisioning Service: Instead of navigating each country’s registration process manually, you can submit and track applications through a single platform, with greater visibility into application status and requirements. This can help reduce the time and administrative effort involved when expanding SMS communications into new markets.
- Custom Sender ID: Use your company or brand name as the Sender ID for customer-facing SMS, subject to applicable Singapore SSIR requirements, so recipients see a name they recognize instead of an unfamiliar number.
- Intelligent Routing: Automatically select appropriate routes to help messages reach their intended destinations reliably, so a campaign doesn’t stall because a single route is congested or down.
- Auto Adaptation: Adapt messages, phone numbers and Sender ID formats to support successful delivery across different markets, so a single campaign can go out to multiple countries without separate manual formatting for each one.
- Number Lookup: Validate phone numbers and identify number-related information to help maintain cleaner databases and support anti-fraud processes, so your SMS budget goes toward real, reachable numbers rather than invalid ones.
- Integrations: Connect SMS capabilities with existing business systems through APIs, applications and integration resources, so Sender ID status and delivery events flow straight into the CRM or workflow your team already checks.
- 24/7 support: Access dedicated support and resources to help manage messaging operations, so a Sender ID or delivery issue that surfaces outside office hours doesn’t have to wait until the next business day.
For Singapore businesses, these capabilities provide a foundation for secure, scalable SMS communications while supporting the technical and operational requirements of modern messaging programs.
Talk to our experts to see how 8×8 CPaaS can support your Singapore SMS strategy, from Sender ID registration and API integration to reliable messaging at scale.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I register an SMS Sender ID in Singapore?Businesses need to create an SSIR account, provide their organization details and Singapore UEN, nominate their SMS aggregator, submit their Sender ID for registration and complete the applicable review and payment process. Sender IDs must meet the SSIR’s registration requirements.
- Who needs to register an SMS Sender ID?Organizations sending SMS to Singapore mobile users using alphanumeric Sender IDs generally need to register those Sender IDs with SSIR. The requirements differ for messages sent using telephone numbers rather than alphanumeric Sender IDs.
- What happens if I use an unregistered Sender ID in Singapore?Under Singapore’s SSIR regime, non-registered Sender IDs may be displayed as “Likely-SCAM” rather than the intended branded Sender ID. Businesses should therefore register their Sender IDs before sending production SMS to Singapore recipients.
- Does SSIR registration replace PDPA or DNC requirements?No. SSIR addresses SMS Sender ID registration and anti-spoofing requirements. Businesses must separately assess their obligations under other applicable Singapore laws and regulations, including the PDPA and Do Not Call (DNC) Registry requirements for relevant marketing communications. Philippine businesses also have home-market obligations to consider, such as the Data Privacy Act of 2012.
- Can overseas companies register a Sender ID in Singapore?SSIR registration requires a Singapore local UEN. For a Philippine business without a Singapore entity, that means checking the options with your SMS provider before you start. Organizations without the required Singapore entity identification should assess their structure and messaging arrangement with their SMS provider before attempting registration.
