Introduction
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico presents an opportunity to showcase the friendship and unity among North American nations. However, the mobile carrier registration process under new telecom laws and federal anti-crime policies may pose challenges for travelers visiting Mexico during the tournament.
The Challenge
Mexico’s new telecom laws require the registration of over 160 million mobile lines, including local and foreign numbers, by July 2026. This task falls on major carriers like Telcel, AT&T, and Altán Redes, as well as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).
- The registration process must account for both Mexican and foreign numbers.
- Registration will involve validating user identities using CURP for Mexicans and foreign entry documents for non-Mexicans.
- The timeline for complete registration coincides with the World Cup, potentially straining resources and causing delays.
Expert Opinions
Isabel Reza, Director General of Regulatory Experts: Telecommunications and Broadcasting, highlights the oversight in the regulation’s design:
- The current regulation likely did not consider the implications of the 2026 World Cup and the challenges it poses for associating lines with both Mexican and foreign users.
- The 120-day registration period (post CRT approval) aligns with the arrival of foreign visitors for the World Cup, creating regulatory burdens and increased costs for telecom companies.
New Legal Framework
The new legal framework mandates that all commercially available and in-use cellular lines in Mexico, regardless of origin, must be registered. Failure to register results in limited communication capabilities for users, restricted to emergency situations and contact with service providers.
The identity validation process for Mexican users through CURP and foreign users through entry documents adds complexity to the registration procedure, which may be time-consuming for telecom companies.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue? The timing of the registration process and the increased workload, particularly for mobile carriers, to register each cellular line associated with CURP or foreign entry documents.
- Why is this a concern during the World Cup? The registration deadlines clash with the tournament dates, potentially causing resource strain and delays in completing the process.
- What are the implications for telecom companies? They will face the challenge of validating user identities, a task outside their usual operations, which may require access to additional identity databases and coordination with other government agencies.
