Other Sending restrictions

Chile narrows 600 prefix use

For teams sending service alerts, payment reminders, automated support flows, or bulk outreach into Chile, the key shift is that message purpose, existing customer relationship, and demonstrable consent are now tied to numbering classification. In June 2026, Subtel clarified that the 600 range is only for requested or contracted service information and support, while 809 remains for unsolicited mass outreach. The rule is not limited to voice: it expressly captures SMS, MMS, and AI-generated communications.

Published:08/10/2026 Updated:08/10/2026

1. Regulatory focus

In June 2026, Chile’s Subtel tightened the boundary for mass communications using the 600 range. Only automated or large-scale contacts directly tied to a service the user expressly requested or already contracted can use 600. The clarification is broader than a voice rule: it expressly covers verbal, written, pre-recorded, and AI-generated communications, including SMS and MMS. If the main purpose is to promote a new product, upsell an add-on, or contact users without a qualifying request or contractual basis, the outreach belongs in the 809 category instead of a trusted-looking 600 flow.

2. Business impact

The operational impact is that companies can no longer bundle renewal reminders, support callbacks, delivery notices, and cross-sell campaigns into one automated outbound stream under a single trusted identity. Once the primary purpose shifts toward selling an additional or different service, the communication may need to move from 600 to 809 even if it targets an existing customer and comes from the same brand. For CPaaS teams, collections workflows, SMS fallback, robocall programs, and CRM orchestration, this turns message taxonomy, trigger logic, consent records, and numbering allocation into audit items rather than routine routing choices.

3. Operating recommendations

A practical response starts with purpose mapping. Reclassify Chile traffic into requested service notices, contract-performance support, unsolicited marketing, and collections-related exceptions, then bind each template to its legal basis, user action, timestamp, and delivery channel. If one journey mixes OTP, billing, support, plan upgrades, and add-on sales, split it into separate campaigns, number resources, and audit trails. Teams using AI dialing or AI-assisted copy should also add sampling reviews, because the rule explicitly reaches AI-generated communications and a promotional drift inside a 600-class workflow is exactly the kind of misclassification the update is designed to stop.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we keep using 600 if a service SMS also suggests an upgrade?
Risk is high. Subtel’s framing focuses on the primary purpose of the communication, not simply whether the recipient is an existing customer. If the message moves from service performance into selling an additional or different offering, it should be treated as 809-class outreach. In practice, separate service and marketing templates, triggers, and numbering resources instead of blending them.
Do SMS fallbacks after failed WhatsApp delivery also need 600 versus 809 classification?
Yes. The rule turns on automation, scale, service relationship, and consent, not on whether the contact started in OTT or SMS. If the fallback message carries an order notice, authentication step, or requested support update, it can be governed as service traffic. If the fallback becomes a reactivation or promotional push, the classification changes with the purpose.
Where do AI-generated scripts or SMS copy create the biggest compliance risk?
The biggest issue is content drift rather than AI use by itself. A service notice can become marketing if the model adds discount language, upgrade prompts, referral hooks, or win-back wording. Keep prompt logs, version history, and human review records, and add keyword or intent controls so service-class templates do not silently turn into promotional traffic.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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