If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, you may wonder if AT&T works in Mexico. It’s not an uncommon question, because it’s a common misconception that the nation is an untapped area for the carrier. The reality is that the company has already built a massive network throughout the country, and there are a number of ways that you can access its services while you’re there. However, there are several factors that you should take into consideration before deciding on the right carrier for your trip.
AT&T’s network in Mexico
As Mexico continues to evolve as a mobile nation, AT&T’s network in Mexico is gaining ground. With the recent acquisition of Iusacell, this wireless carrier is set to expand its reach to millions more Mexicans.
AT&T’s network in Mexico is currently the third largest in the country. In fact, the company is also a part of a network sharing agreement with Movistar, which will extend coverage to the nation. This allows both carriers to use a shared spectrum.
Although AT&T’s network in Mexico is limited to the country’s major metropolitan areas, the company’s services are widely available. The company has launched 5G services in Mexico City, Ensenada, and Mazatlan. It plans to add 25 more cities by the end of 2022.
Iusacell is the second-largest wireless carrier in Mexico, and its cellular service operates under the brand Unefon. According to Commscope, the two companies have over 3.4 million subscribers.
AT&T has closed an agreement to purchase the wireless properties of Iusacell, which means the company will soon be the largest mobile service provider in the country. Once the deal is completed, the firm will become the first major American wireless carrier to operate outside its borders.
Iusacell’s existing wireline business will be sold off to Grupo Salinas, which owns the company. However, the brand will continue to be used as a low-end prepaid carrier.
In addition, AT&T plans to offer a new network for consumers. In December last year, the firm introduced its 5G Innovation Laboratory, which will test use cases for the 5G technology. The company is also working with universities and large corporations to improve business models using 5G technology.
As a result of the new rules, America Movil is required to offload some of its assets. To do so, it must acquire a market share below 50 percent. At the same time, the government wants to encourage the telecommunications industry in Mexico and provide better communications for all.
While America Movil may be the biggest player, it has limited coverage. In addition to the company’s 2G and 4G networks, the provider has a CDMA network and IDEN network.
Mobile Share Value customers can roam freely
AT&T Mobility recently announced plans to make their Mobile Share Value customers feel a bit more at home in Mexico. The scheme aims to capitalize on the untapped demand for postpaid roaming plans.
In addition to free roaming in Mexico, AT&T is adding features to their existing mobile plans. Their newest Mobile Select plan starts at $20 a month and includes free voice and data in Mexico. They will also offer free texting to Mexico and Canada.
One of the more exciting new features in this mobile offering is the ability to use unlimited data when you’re in Mexico. However, you’ll need to be part of the Mobile Share Value program to enjoy this.
Earlier this year, AT&T Mobility introduced an unlimited data plan. This includes 1 gigabyte of data per line. While this isn’t as generous as Verizon’s unlimited data plan, it’s still pretty good. It’s a solid way to make sure that you’re not paying extra for your data in Mexico.
On Wednesday, AT&T announced an international roaming solution. Unlike the previous scheme, which only applied to postpaid users, this new scheme is available for select customers. To take advantage of it, customers will need to add the Roam North America feature to their smartphones or tablets.
AT&T is not the first to offer a free data-roaming scheme. Sprint launched a similar offering back in October. Cricket also launched a similar service in July. Now, it’s up to the competition to match these offers.
Other carriers have also introduced plans to break down the barriers between the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Some, like Telcel, offer free texting and data transfer services to the U.S. Despite these offerings, AT&T has taken the lead.
For example, AT&T is now offering unlimited calling in Mexico and Canada on its Unlimited Plan. If you want to take advantage of this feature, you’ll need to speak to an AT&T representative. With the addition of these two features, AT&T customers will finally have the freedom to call and text without any additional charges.
AT&T’s 5G innovation laboratory
AT&T has opened a 5G innovation laboratory in Mexico City. It will test the use of 5G in local communities and work with universities and the government to develop prototypes for different industries. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and multigigabit fiber broadband.
The lab will be open to industry stakeholders, universities, startups, large corporations, and the Mexican government. As part of the process, AT&T will invest US$100,000 per project, with an additional US$100,000 pledged to match the investment.
The goal of the lab is to create a local 5G ecosystem. This ecosystem will help bring about faster speeds and lower latency. Through this ecosystem, more devices will be connected to the network. Also, new applications and services will be developed to benefit various industries.
The 5G Innovation Lab has chosen Nokia as its strategic partner. Nokia will supply equipment from its 5G AirScale RAN portfolio. In addition, the company will collaborate with Omdia, a global market leader for 5G cellular and fixed network solutions.
AT&T will also partner with the Mexican government and invest in the creation of an investment fund to support startups, entrepreneurs, and innovators. This fund will be named Fondo 100 + 100 and will be used to support local entrepreneurs’ 5G technology projects.
At the same time, AT&T plans to launch a program called eNovatives. This program encourages women to pursue careers in technology. They can participate in this program by creating a business plan using AT&T’s tools.
AT&T will also begin deploying 5G in rural areas. For this, the company is using low-band spectrum. Currently, it is only using the 2.5 GHz band. But with the advent of 5G, it will be able to provide better speeds and reduce latency.
To accelerate the path to market for key strategic initiatives, AT&T is bringing together organizations from across the company. Those include the company’s renowned research and development organization, the Foundry, as well as its Industry 4.0 space in Plano, Texas.
The AT&T Mexico 5G Innovation Laboratory will also be a testing ground for different experiences. It is expected to be open for applications by April 2021.
Telcel is the best cell phone carrier for tourists in Mexico
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, you should definitely consider using the Telcel cell phone network. This provider provides the best cell phone coverage in all of Mexico. It is also the most affordable and easiest to use.
Telcel has a network that offers the latest 4G LTE technology in large cities and popular tourist destinations. For a small extra fee, you can add a Telcel Sin Fronteras add-on, which allows you to make calls and use data in Canada and the US.
The Telcel website is also available in English. There are several data-only packages, so you can choose which one is right for you. You can also top up your data online. And if you need to purchase a Telcel sim card, there are plenty of stores that sell them.
There are plenty of prepaid plans to choose from in Mexico. These vary in price, but you can get a basic plan for as little as $2.50 a month. In addition to that, you can get unlimited text messaging and voice calls.
To purchase a Telcel SIM card, you can visit your local Telcel store, or if you are traveling to the US, you can buy it on Amazon. Be sure to check for the chip’s activation requirements before you go.
You can also purchase a Telcel sim card in Mexico at a Walmart, La Comer, or Mega. Those are the three main Telcel outlets, but there are many others.
Before you leave, you will want to make sure that your phone is unlocked. Most phones will come unlocked, but if not, you may have to pay for an unlocking service.
Once you’ve made your purchase, you can activate your phone by entering a code on the Telcel website. You can also use the Telcel kiosk to activate your sim card for a small fee. A text message will be sent to you after you have completed the activation process.
While the Mexican cell market is relatively small, all major providers provide extensive coverage in major cities. Among them are AT&T, Movistar, and Telcel.