The first enforced deadline for compliance with mandatory cell phone registration came and went on Aug. 15 and approximately 2.6 million phone lines were suspended, prompting chaos and confusion for users whose now-unregistered phone numbers end in “0.”
Mexico’s Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) announced on Thursday that nearly 9.7 million users whose number ends in “0” successfully registered their cell phones before the deadline.
The CRT also said that just over 2.3 million users whose lines had been suspended managed to reactivate their phone service by Aug. 19. Another 2.6 million mobile phones are expected to be reactivated in the coming days, while the CRT expects 2.5 million “unused” lines to be decommissioned.
Those who failed to register before the deadline faced plenty of online misinformation, but those whose service was suspended can still recover their service because their phone number was not canceled.
To reactivate the service, users must complete the registration process via their phone company. Prepaid lines must also be registered to remain active.
You can register through the phone company’s registration portal and by verifying your identity. Links to all providers’ platforms can be found on the CRT website here.
You can also complete the process in person at one of your company’s customer service centers, where staff is on hand to assist with the registration.
Mexican mobile phone owners must provide a CURP (Unique Population Registry Code) and a valid official ID, such as the INE-issued voter ID.
Foreigners must also register their phone lines (if it is a Mexican provider) by using the corresponding identity or immigration document, such as a resident visa or a passport.
Procedures vary slightly depending on the phone company, but the process is free.
It is important to note that suspended lines can still make calls to emergency numbers, citizen services and their phone company. They will also continue to receive earthquake alerts and they can be used to complete the registration process.
The government mandated cell phone registration procedures in an effort to eliminate anonymous mobile lines, stop criminal extortion and curb the use of untraceable “burner” prepaid SIM cards.
The CRT had originally established a June 30 deadline for all cell phones to be registered, but when it became apparent that a significant number of users would see their lines suspended, the deadline was extended.
The official schedule to register cell phones now depends on the final digit of your phone number. If your phone number ends in “1,” you must register by Aug. 31. If it ends in “2,” your deadline is Sept. 15, and so on through the end of the year: “3” — Sept. 30; “4” — Oct. 15; “5” — Oct. 31; “6” — Nov. 15; “7” — Nov. 30; “8” — Dec. 15; and, “9” — Dec. 31.
In its Aug. 20 report, the CRT said a total of 73.2 million lines — or 60.5% of the total lines expected to be connected in the country — were registered. By the end of the registration process, it expects a purge of around 25 million lines.
With reports from El Universal, Wired and LatinUS
