Why did Ofcom fine Meta?
On 12 November 2026, Ofcom published its decision to fine Meta £450,000 for providing inaccurate answers to five questions across two statutory information notices. Ofcom issued the decision on 9 November under the Communications Act 2003. The regulator said the errors meant it had to spend extra time checking figures and seeking clarification. The penalty includes a 25% discount after Meta admitted liability and completed Ofcom’s settlement process.
Read Ofcom’s enforcement update
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What data did Ofcom ask for?
Ofcom was looking at how businesses reach customers through channels such as WhatsApp Business and SMS. It asked Meta for figures including WhatsApp Business conversation volumes and revenues, with separate figures for services supplied directly and through intermediaries. In one response, Meta counted both types in figures intended to cover direct provision alone, overstating the direct totals. Meta submitted its final corrected dataset in September 2025.
Read the published decision (PDF)
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What is wholesale A2P SMS termination?
Application-to-person SMS, or A2P SMS, covers texts sent by a business or public body to an individual, such as appointment reminders, sign-in codes and delivery updates. Termination is the final step, when the recipient’s mobile network delivers the text. Ofcom examined the wholesale charges for that step and considered whether other channels, including WhatsApp Business, could constrain those charges.
Read Ofcom’s business messaging market review
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Does the fine change what businesses pay for SMS?
The decision concerns Meta’s responses to Ofcom’s information requests. It does not set a new SMS price. In its separate October 2025 market statement, Ofcom said it would pause the review after receiving voluntary wholesale pricing commitments from four mobile operators through the end of 2028 and considering changes in the business messaging market. Businesses can check with their messaging provider for the rates that apply to their own service.
Choosing a channel for customer messages
Start with the message the customer needs to receive. A delivery alert or appointment reminder may only need a short text. A support query might need a conversation and a clear way to reach the right team. Comparing the cost and delivery requirements for each use makes it easier to decide where SMS fits.
Explore business SMS from Digital Select
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