ET
Feb 15, 2004, 11:29 PM
Post #2 of 3
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In contrast to the United States where monthly service plans dominate the cellular market, prepaid ("prepago") calling plans dominate the Mexican cellular market. Purchased minutes don't last indefinitely, however, typically expiring 60 days after loaded into the phone. Per-minute airtime rates tend to be higher than in the United States, and commonplace US incentives such as free long-distance calling and/or local calls to other users on the same network aren't generally found. Equipment (CDMA, TDMA and GSM, with TDMA scheduled for eventual phase-out and AMPS dying) and broadcast frequencies (800 MHz cellular and 1900 MHz PCS) are the same as in the US. GSM service is currently relatively limited but expanding, and should ultimately be a major player, with 2 of the 3.5 major carriers committing to it for new equipment deployment.
The major Mexican carriers have amalgamated into Telcel (TDMA->GSM), Telefonica Movile (Telefonica Movistar, CDMA->GSM), and Unefon/Iusacell (CDMA). Hit these carriers websites for descriptions of service plans and maps of service areas. In the case of Telcel and Telefonica Movistar, when gathering the opinions of neighbors regarding local service quality make sure to find out whether they're using the carrier's xDMA or GSM, networks, the equipment for which is incompatible.
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