BajaNomad - Mexican Cell Phone Registration

Mexican Cell Phone Registration

fuelpusher2 - 3-22-2010 at 05:50 PM

I've heard that the Mexican government is requiring anyone who owns a Mexican cell phone to register their phone by April 1 or risk having the phone turned off on April 10th.

Registration is free and can be done at a Tel-Cel office.
You will need to present your U.S. passport.

For more information go to www.renaut.gob.mx

Anyone know more on this subject?

Riom - 3-22-2010 at 06:14 PM

I wrote about this a while back (and updated it yesterday):

http://www.sanfelipelife.com/post/Registering-a-Mexican-cell...

It only applies to phones first used before April 2009, phones activated after that date were registered when they were activated.

So far only 46% of people have registered their phones so the phone companies are lobbying hard to extend the deadline, since they face losing tens of millions of customers in three weeks time!

Rob

heike - 3-22-2010 at 06:54 PM

Hello
Is there a solution for us that are in the states and can not make it down to register our phones? Help..........

Riom - 3-22-2010 at 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by heike
Is there a solution for us that are in the states and can not make it down to register our phones?

First thing is to wait and see if the date is extended. It's going to be a major financial hit to some powerful people if the phones are turned off on time.

If you really can't register the phone, and they really turn them off, before you get down, the worst case is you have to get a new sim card and (probably) new number (200 pesos or so).

I assume it's likely (but not certain) they will have some option to "re-activate" a sim card that has been turned off, in the following few months. They can't mention the details of that yet as it would cause even more people to wait and see. :-)

[Edited on 2010-3-23 by Riom]

BAJA.DESERT.RAT - 3-22-2010 at 09:47 PM

Hola, this was in the bajaponyexpress3 and according to one of my friends that doesn't speak spanish very well was able to register. i gave it a try and am not very computer literate and was not able to.

You can register your cellular phone at: www.telcel.com.mx At the bottom left is the link "registro nacional"
Then go to the button "como realizo el registro"
It is in spanish, but can be done without going to Cabo San Lucas.

BIEN SALUD, DA RAT

bajalorena - 3-22-2010 at 10:00 PM

Turns out that on the telcel site, you have to have a CURP, so you be a Mexican citizen.

oladulce - 3-23-2010 at 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajalorena
Turns out that on the telcel site, you have to have a CURP, so you be a Mexican citizen.

When we bough a Sim card at a Telcel store in Cd Constitucion in Feb. the clerk phoned in the registration for us and the Telcel people would not issue the Sim without a CURP. They also wanted our US passport information and since I doubt many extrañeros have both a US passport and a Mexican CURP, they'll have to work out this bug in their system.

It took about 45 minutes to register the darn thing- the clerk tried to use her own CURP but couldn't recall the numbers so we finally called a friend who looked up his CURP and we used his number.

On our way to BCS we stopped in Ensenada and bought a SIM card and phoned in the registration ourselves and no CURP was required.

Maybe Ensenada or the Telcel rep we spoke to deals with foreigners more often and has found a way around the CURP requirement on their paperwork.

rhintransit - 3-23-2010 at 08:31 AM

easy here in La Paz. took no more than five or ten minutes to get a CURP card at the Registracion Civil #1 on Allende. all they need is your FM2/3 or a copy of the most current page.

use the number to register by text message to 2877. just sent the word alta. (be sure to use the period) followed by the long CURP number. you'll get a message back in a minute or less stating you are now registered.

since my phone for some reason doesn't have a period I had to go into a Telcel SERVICE office. I used the one on 5th of February near the hospital. just had to stand in line and then the clerk did it for me.

bajalou - 3-23-2010 at 09:36 AM

Someone posted on another site that they called the English speaking rep. of Telcel and handled it over the phone.

toneart - 3-23-2010 at 11:23 AM

For those of us who have Movistar service, Telcel will do no good. Can't get a CURP in Mulege. Maybe Santa Rosalia, but where? My Mexican friends tell me that the CURP is the Mexican equivilent of a passport, for Mexicans only. Furthermore, the Government line now is so jammed that the Mexicans cannot register either.

They tried to help me, but I was referred to the Govt. website by text msg on my cell phone. The website also requires a CURP, so I will just have to lose the service when they turn it off. :mad:

This is way too much trouble! Carlos Slim will be losing millions on this deal. He will probably be replaced by Bill Gates again. :spingrin:

shari - 3-23-2010 at 11:48 AM

I tried with my curp and it said it was an invalid one...maybe I didnt use my middle name when I signed up for my phone????? option 2 was to put Alta. and your name and birthdate...didnt like that either and said I had to put my entidad federativa...anybody know what that is?? what is the short clave for mulege?? it says it is the state where you were born but I doubt it will like Ontario!!! :lol:

Riom - 3-23-2010 at 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
I tried with my curp and it said it was an invalid one...

Have you checked your CURP is valid?
http://www.emexico.gob.mx/wb2/eMex/eMex_Consulta_tu_CURP

You can also look up your CURP there from a name, birthdate etc.

What makes the current process rather pointless is that there is nothing stopping anybody using any CURP (such as a friends's, or indeed any CURP you find on the internet).

This will cause a problem though at stage 2, when fingerprints and iris scans are gathered, as those who just picked any old CURP won't be able to provide matching data.

Rob

[Edited on 2010-3-23 by Riom]

Marie-Rose - 3-23-2010 at 02:16 PM

Thought I might have a hard time registering my cell as it was purchased, and is registered, in my daughters name.
Went into LaPaz Telcel office. No english spoken at this office but they took a copy of my passport, it took a few minutes as she navigated the computer, and I was out of there... probably 15 minutes.

Riom - 3-23-2010 at 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marie-Rose
Thought I might have a hard time registering my cell as it was purchased, and is registered, in my daughters name.

The RENAUT (goverment) registration is separate from what Telcel have, so there's no checking of who brought the phone. The RENAUT registration is (supposed to be) in the user's name, for example the site says a child should register their phone in their name, even if the parent pays for it.

That way, if the child uses the phone in a crime (!), the parent won't get the blame.

Which BTW is a good reason not to lend your CURP (or passport) to help somebody else register their phone, even if you trust them it could come back to haunt you if their phone is stolen, they fail to report it, and it's used in a crime.

Rob

bajaguy - 3-23-2010 at 02:30 PM

I purchased time on my Movistar cell phone in Ensenada last week and they never mentioned anything about registering....should I stop by their office and ask????

karenintx - 3-23-2010 at 03:00 PM

Well we are keeping our fingers crossed "the system" works...Last year around July we had read about this in the G/G and being it was the G/G we didn't know what to believe, so the hubby went by Movie Star with both phones and passports. Half of hour later he was told "you are phones registered".

Hope they are right...guess we will find out on the 11th.

shari - 3-23-2010 at 04:27 PM

OK...I found out what Entidad federativa is...must be where your cell service was born and there are codes for it...baja sur is bs...okey dokey then...done deal....checked my curp and all is well there...who knows why it wouldnt work...probably something about a middle name which is why it is so important in mexico not to deviate from your given names...always use em all...always use the same name for everything.

flyfishinPam - 3-24-2010 at 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by shari
OK...I found out what Entidad federativa is...

Entidad federativa is your state. In your case its BCS

a non citizen can get a curp but you don't have to have one to register your phone

Worst Case ?

MrBillM - 3-24-2010 at 01:17 PM

I read on another site that the Prepaid AT-T GO Phones available at Walmart, etc will work in the San Felipe area with rates 25 cents/minute to the U.S. Think I'll run down and price one, just in case my Telcel ends up going dead.

mtgoat666 - 3-24-2010 at 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by fuelpusher2
I've heard that the Mexican government is requiring anyone who owns a Mexican cell phone to register their phone by April 1 or risk having the phone turned off on April 10th.

Registration is free and can be done at a Tel-Cel office.
You will need to present your U.S. passport.

For more information go to www.renaut.gob.mx

Anyone know more on this subject?

why do people need to register their phones? purpose?

and why won't telephone service providers submit registrations for their customers? (perhaps that approach is too logical)

Riom - 3-24-2010 at 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mtgoat666
why do people need to register their phones? purpose?

and why won't telephone service providers submit registrations for their customers? (perhaps that approach is too logical)

I've explained the background to this in my article at
http://www.sanfelipelife.com/post/Registering-a-Mexican-cell...

On the second point, the phone companies are not able to share their data with the government for privacy reasons. If it was the other way round - the companies give your private details to the government without asking you - there would (rightly) be some complaints! (maybe not so much by Americans who are used to personal data being shared, but most other countries have better expectations of privacy).

Rob

Riom - 3-25-2010 at 01:12 PM

The deadline for registration has just been extended by 6 months, to October 2010.

http://thenews.com.mx/articulo/cell-phone-registration-deadl...

DianaT - 3-25-2010 at 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Riom
The deadline for registration has just been extended by 6 months, to October 2010.

http://thenews.com.mx/articulo/cell-phone-registration-deadl...

THANK YOU very much for the update.

fishingmako - 3-25-2010 at 02:34 PM

Come on quit worring about this matter, I can't believe how many people, get so freaked out.

I knew they would extend it, and when it comes up again it will continue to be extended, they can not afford to lose that kind of monies, and most people would let their phone go if so and find other means.

There are so many deals becoming available in the US to use in Mexico it will be cheaper to use a US phone in MEXICO, and don't have all these problems.

U.S. Options

MrBillM - 3-25-2010 at 04:27 PM

This whole exchange prompted me to check the AT-T GO Phone coverage in Mexico and there are a lot of gaps, but if you're in the San Felipe (or La Paz) area, there's coverage. The downside would be "receiving" local calls from Mexican phones. Downside for whoever is calling, that is.

BUT, it's all academic now. Plenty of time to make sure the transfer works out.

I don't need any more Cell phones. The last time we were stopped at El Chinero, the army guard kept coming up with Cell phones under my seat and wondering why there were three different ones.

Now, I just need to get to the Farmacia before the 1st and buy some more Antibiotics.

Riom - 3-25-2010 at 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
This whole exchange prompted me to check the AT-T GO Phone coverage in Mexico and there are a lot of gaps, but if you're in the San Felipe (or La Paz) area, there's coverage.

In Mexico, AT&T (or any foreign carrier) will roam on local networks that have the same technology, in this case both Telcel and Movistar. So where-ever a Telcel or Movistar works, it'll work (assuming roaming is set up right). (in other words, coverage is actually better than either local carrier because it roams on both of them).

So when anybody says "AT&T has coverage in Mexico" what they means is there is a roaming parter it can work on. Of course AT&T doesn't have any towers of their own (just like Telcel doesn't have any towers in Alaska, but can roam there on a local partner).

http://www.sanfelipelife.com/post/Using-a-US-cellphone-in-Sa...

Rob

Riom - 3-25-2010 at 06:33 PM

Update (the last one for a while I hope, I'm bored of the subject...)

Most sources are now saying a year extension:

http://www.milenio.com/node/409540

The "excuse" used: the government are not convinced the companies will
guard the data properly (sounds a bit late to think about that...).

It's interesting to see the (badly translated by Google) comments by some Mexicans on there to this:

"For this type of action the citizens who complied on time and performed
their permit application, are disappointed and discouraged to continue
to comply with government demands."

"and next year will be another extension and thus we took her,,
procrastinate ... like everything in this country."

"Why more time, so we are as we are, I am disappointed at the
institutions of the country and we will never get ahead, always yielding
to pressures."

"Why is it so difficult to comply with the law, it is our duty as
Mexicans, we must wake up and !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Which I think sums it up for a lot of people.

Rob

Coverage ? IF You Say So, but ..........

MrBillM - 3-25-2010 at 06:54 PM

The coverage maps for AT&T "GO Phone" services, in both the U.S. and Mexico, are shown as more limited than their other 3G services.

I would suggest that anyone considering buying one check for themselves rather than trust to anyone else's opinion.

[Edited on 3-26-2010 by MrBillM]

Riom - 3-25-2010 at 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
The coverage maps for AT&T "GO Phone" services, in both the U.S. and Mexico, are shown as more limited than their other 3G services.

You're right, they do show Telcel coverage only now for prepaid. Can anybody confirm an AT&T prepaid (rather than contract plan) won't roam on Movistar? I didn't spot that, thanks for the correction.

Maybe that was how they were able to reduce the roaming rate last year, do a deal with Telcel and drop the Movistar coverage (only for prepaid, plans still have both but they also have a higher roaming fee).

Within the US any prepaid does normally have less coverage as it doesn't roam on every roaming partner in the obscure locations. Just native AT&T coverage.

Rob

garynmx - 3-27-2010 at 02:38 AM

Went to main Telcel store in Rosarito Beach. Took less than 5 minutes. They make a copy of your passport, enter something in the computer and thats it. No charge, no forms to fill out, no questions other than asking for your phone number. You have until April 10th to register.

schwlind - 3-27-2010 at 08:42 AM

Please forgive my ignorance... but what is a CURP?

Linda

tjBill - 3-27-2010 at 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by schwlind
Please forgive my ignorance... but what is a CURP?

Linda

Its the Mexican National Identification number.

fishingmako - 3-28-2010 at 07:47 PM

Please! can someone give a more specific outline of this matter, I called TJ and they said absolutely no registration by phone e-mail etc. unless you were Mexican, If you are a foreigner you must go to the office of phone choice, either TELCEL or MOVIESTAR, take in your passport so they can get a copy, there is absolutely no more extension past April 10th on April 11th all phones not registered will be cut off.

My question is all above true or not??

shari - 3-29-2010 at 07:21 AM

Juan told me last night that there has been a month extension for registering now. :tumble:

gnukid - 3-29-2010 at 07:49 AM

No one is registering.

SO, WHO is Juan ?

MrBillM - 3-29-2010 at 09:37 AM

"Juan told me ....." ?

Is that official ?

Riom - 4-9-2010 at 12:42 AM

The extension was indeed rejected by the senate. Deadline is still April 10th (Saturday).

http://thenews.com.mx/articulo/renaut-extension-rejected-104...

Rob

capitolkat - 4-9-2010 at 06:02 AM

A friend in La Paz had a copy of my passport (for some construction work on my lot) and she took it and my cell number to the Telcel office when she registered her cell. They also registered my cell- if you've got anyone who could help you do this it might be the way to go. good luck-- Norm

grmpb - 4-9-2010 at 06:51 AM

got this text message from telcel yesterday:
estimado usuario, por ley debes registrar tu linea celular en RENAUT antes del 10-abr-2010, no te desconnectes. Info *264 www.telcel.com :no:

shari - 4-9-2010 at 07:18 AM

Juan, the know it all husband was misinformed I gather....hahahaha...excellent! I tried for hours to register via the *264 and it just wouldnt work so I took my phone to a telcel store and they did it in 5 minutes...quick and easy...lots of people I know are registering.

grmpb - 4-9-2010 at 08:48 AM

oh well looks like slim won't be getting anymore of my $! went to telcel store here. they said i need a curp to reg. tried to find out if i could get one online but no luck. any suggestions?

Timo1 - 4-9-2010 at 08:59 AM

Try the one in vizcaino...seems to be a crap shoot

Registering

MrBillM - 4-9-2010 at 09:03 AM

We took our phone and a passport to CSI-Baja in San Felipe. Five minutes and a nominal fee.

Two days and we'll ALL know the result, right ?

Not wanting to take a chance that could be avoided cheaply, I Did buy a Nokia ATT GO phone before leaving the U.S. $28.88 + tax included $15.00 airtime. $.25 per minute from Mex. Works fine south of San Felipe.

IF the Telcel works out OK, I'll likely use up the ATT time and throw it in the trash. If not, I'm covered.

jak - 4-9-2010 at 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
"Juan told me ....." ?

Is that official ?

Juan's sisters are Miss Information and Miss Statement.

:spingrin:

DianaT - 4-9-2010 at 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by grmpb
oh well looks like slim won't be getting anymore of my $! went to telcel store here. they said i need a curp to reg. tried to find out if i could get one online but no luck. any suggestions?

Another person in BA registered their phone in Ensenada---no curp needed, so maybe as Tim suggested, Vizcaino will work. Those guys at the local TelCel are clueless, as you well know!

It looks like we are going to be late-- if someone registers today, could they ask about being late?

Thanks
Diane

durrelllrobert - 4-9-2010 at 09:39 AM

Quote:

Juan's sisters are Miss Information and Miss Statement.

:spingrin:

and don't forget miss conception :lol:

Bajaboy - 4-9-2010 at 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Juan's sisters are Miss Information and Miss Statement.

:spingrin:

and don't forget miss conception :lol:

and Miss Taken

Riom - 4-9-2010 at 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
Not wanting to take a chance that could be avoided cheaply, I Did buy a Nokia ATT GO phone before leaving the U.S. $28.88 + tax included $15.00 airtime. $.25 per minute from Mex. Works fine south of San Felipe.

IF the Telcel works out OK, I'll likely use up the ATT time and throw it in the trash. If not, I'm covered.

Sell the AT&T Go Phone to a neighbor who didn't get around to registering, probably at a profit.

For only $8.33/mo average of airtime a month to keep it active, online recharges, and usable anywhere Telcel has coverage, it's an ideal alternative for anybody who doesn't need a local number but needs to be contactable.

Rob

grmpb - 4-9-2010 at 02:07 PM

what the hell is the # to contact telcel ?>????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

grmpb - 4-9-2010 at 03:15 PM

TO HELL WITH TELCEL CAN'T SEEM TO CONTACT THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :fire:

Bajaboy - 4-9-2010 at 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grmpb
what the hell is the # to contact telcel ?>????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mad:

http://www.sanfelipelife.com/post/Registering-a-Mexican-cell...

Telcel Ensenada by Walmart

Fred-o - 4-9-2010 at 03:28 PM

It took my wife and I under 2 minutes each to register with our U.S. Passports.

It was longer for the Nationals in front of us in line however; but it appeared they were asking many questions.

We were there maybe 12 to 15 minutes total.

We re-upped our dinero on the phones while there, so it was not a wasted trip.

grmpb - 4-9-2010 at 03:54 PM

no walmart in asuncion only some guy says ah we need your curp# i give up!!

Keri - 4-9-2010 at 04:51 PM

Tell Him your curp is your passport. Offer to pay for a call to the main office in a larger town to get permission to use your passport.. If that doesn't help see if you can get Shari to help you. She knows how to work with the people there. I know it's frustrating but remember you'll get more with honey than with vinegar. I went in to Rosarito yesterday did have to wait in line 20 minutes but once it was my turn, Took 5 minutes. All they need is your passport,no curp. Easy. A couple of lines in the computer and your done If you have more problems go to gn and get it done there.. Hope that helps some. Good Luck,k

DianaT - 4-9-2010 at 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fred-o
It took my wife and I under 2 minutes each to register with our U.S. Passports.

It was longer for the Nationals in front of us in line however; but it appeared they were asking many questions.

We were there maybe 12 to 15 minutes total.

We re-upped our dinero on the phones while there, so it was not a wasted trip.

That is where we plan on going, but we will be late---anyone yet know what will happen being late? Will they still register it?

thanks

DianaT - 4-9-2010 at 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Keri
Tell Him your curp is your passport. Offer to pay for a call to the main office in a larger town to get permission to use your passport.. If that doesn't help see if you can get Shari to help you. She knows how to work with the people there. I know it's frustrating but remember you'll get more with honey than with vinegar. I went in to Rosarito yesterday did have to wait in line 20 minutes but once it was my turn, Took 5 minutes. All they need is your passport,no curp. Easy. A couple of lines in the computer and your done If you have more problems go to gn and get it done there.. Hope that helps some. Good Luck,k

His frustration is easily understood if one knows the workers at the TelCel in Bahia Asuncion. Nice, nice guys, but clueless, and not necessarily their fault.

For things like registering and or Banda Ancha, the information changes by the hour. They keep calling La Paz and getting different information. When I told them I was finally going to check on Banda Ancha in Ensenada, the one young man who works there smiled, agreed and said he was also going to check in Ensenada when he is there.

Knowing grmpb, I am sure he has been polite and patient and is blowing off steam here and not at the TelCel store. But the workers in TelCel would understand anyway as they also get frustrated as it seems they are given different information all the time.

GRMPB---let us know, please what happens---especially if you register late. GOOD LUCK

Diane

josie - 4-9-2010 at 05:42 PM

alta.first name.lastname.DDMMYYY (date of birth)

Text it to 2877. A ten year old kid of a neighbor of mine in Baja was going around and providing the service door to door for 10 pesos. I really had to admire his quick little business mind at such a young age!

Keri - 4-9-2010 at 05:55 PM

DianaT The reason I mentioned the frustration and the honey is that I have the tendency to want to jump over the counter and strangle them. LOL. Sounds like grmpg is at that point now. I feel his pain.. Hope it all works out.k

DianaT - 4-9-2010 at 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Keri
DianaT The reason I mentioned the frustration and the honey is that I have the tendency to want to jump over the counter and strangle them. LOL. Sounds like grmpg is at that point now. I feel his pain.. Hope it all works out.k

You should have seen all the frustration and he and we were trying to find out about Banda Ancha in BA--I was not giving up my first born and/or one of my dogs!

Just didn't want anyone to think grmpg is a hothead---but by now, he may be. :biggrin:

It really is one of the disadvantages of being in a small rural area.

[Edited on 4-10-2010 by DianaT]

Bob and Susan - 4-9-2010 at 06:46 PM

you live in mexico

you need a mexican drivers license

they will give you a CURP number

$350 pesos for 3 years

don't fight the "wave"

bajabound2005 - 4-9-2010 at 08:24 PM

lines outside of every Telcel and Movistar place today in Ensenada...so yes, they are registering.

grmpb - 4-9-2010 at 08:26 PM

f telcel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

grmpb - 4-9-2010 at 08:28 PM

but of course there is no other choice?????????????????????

bodfish - 4-9-2010 at 11:33 PM

>>why do people need to register their phones? purpose?

and why won't telephone service providers submit registrations for their customers? (perhaps that approach is too logical) >>

my guess it's our Homeland idjuts putting on the pressure to "stop" them from being used for illegal purposes.

In USA, all new phones can be GPS found in DC, anytime and even if off. (gotta take out the batt)

True story.

[Edited on 4-10-2010 by bodfish]

Bob and Susan - 4-10-2010 at 05:41 AM

"In USA, all new phones can be GPS found in DC, anytime and even if off"

that's just NOT true

the phone MUST be on for tracking

if no gps you can track by cell tower location use

i'm waiting for the cell phone "implant"
peoples ears will have a "unit" inside

Now Being a member of the Spectator Class

MrBillM - 4-10-2010 at 08:31 AM

On this issue ( I hope), this IS going to be FUN to watch.

Hopefully, we'll get a lot of feedback from those who miss the boat.

Worst case, they're out of service for awhile and have to buy a new phone or SIM. Not such a big deal.

DianaT - 4-10-2010 at 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MrBillM
On this issue ( I hope), this IS going to be FUN to watch.

Hopefully, we'll get a lot of feedback from those who miss the boat.

Worst case, they're out of service for awhile and have to buy a new phone or SIM. Not such a big deal.

OK, here is an after story I have not figured out yet. We are not in Baja, so phone has not been registered yet. Last time we were in Baja, we bought a new phone---used old sim card, however, so still needs the new registration.

But much to our surprise, when we crossed the border into the US, this TelCel Phone still works---switched to At &T. And today, it is still working.

It is one of those pay as you go phones and I have no idea how many pesos I am using when I use it here because the number I call to check does not work. It is working just like a US phone. When in Mexico, I of course use the long distance country code etc., but not here.

OH well, still hope we can register it when we head south.

[Edited on 4-10-2010 by DianaT]

bajajudy - 4-10-2010 at 11:00 AM

This is what it looked like in La Paz at the Telcel office
http://www.tribunadeloscabos.com.mx/newpage/index.cfm?op=por...

[Edited on 4-10-2010 by bajajudy]

toneart - 4-10-2010 at 11:11 AM

I have Movistar, pre-paid. Bought it in Ensenada last year. Didn't use it for almost a year. When I went into the Movistar Store in Ensenada this year around the first of February, it would not accept my old SIM# so I bought a new SIM chip and put it into last year's phone. They didn't say anything about registration at that time.

I went through the steps that Josie said, about the kid who activated peoples' in his/her neighborhood. I got three message from the Government site: one said it was rejected. The other two said it was received but didn't say if it was accepted. It referred me to the gov. website. I went there but could not navigate in there in regards to cell phone registration.

So...I may or may not be registered. Guess I will find out today. I don't really care much. Like Senor BillM says, I can just go buy a new one and register at that time. If they require a CURP, I guess I will do without a cell. I only use it to call GasPasa, or call ahead for hotel reservations, or keep it onhand for emergencies. If a bad guy tries to hijack my vehicle I can always hit him up
'long side his head with the dead phone instrument. :coolup:

shari - 4-10-2010 at 11:37 AM

snooze ya lose eh....sure glad I found out on Nomad about registering the phone and went into a telcel office last week in vizcaino...no sweat now but everyone is scrambling to do it the last day....typical huh. I tried to register Juan's today but it seems backed up with calls so we'll see if we get the little message later.

Jaybo - 4-10-2010 at 07:46 PM

So what does this mean for the tourist type like myself? Just use my USA phone and get killed with the huge charges? I'm assuming there are no prepaid phones in Baja? When we go again next year we plan to be there for about a month, traveling most of the time.

edit: Never had a mexican cell phone, but wondered about it as an option on our trip...

[Edited on 4-11-2010 by Jaybo]

Riom - 4-10-2010 at 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaybo
So what does this mean for the tourist type like myself? Just use my USA phone and get killed with the huge charges? I'm assuming there are no prepaid phones in Baja?

Prepaid phones are still available. When you buy the phone (or the sim card), you should be asked for your passport to register it at that time. It's been that way for the past year, so anybody buying a phone in the past year should be already registered.

The panic of last-minute registrations is from people who have had a phone longer from that, who also tend to be the people who have been here long enough to assume that a new law won't be enforced...

For a short-term tourist who doesn't need a local number the AT&T Go Phone from the US is easier (details on my site, below).

Rob

(edit) added the italiced bits thanks to Toneart's comment.

[Edited on 2010-4-11 by Riom]

toneart - 4-10-2010 at 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Riom

Quote:

Originally posted by Jaybo
So what does this mean for the tourist type like myself? Just use my USA phone and get killed with the huge charges? I'm assuming there are no prepaid phones in Baja?

Prepaid phones are still available. When you buy the phone (or the sim card), you will be asked for your passport to register it at that time. It's been that way for the past year, so anybody buying a phone in the past year is already registered.

The panic of last-minute registrations is from people who have had a phone longer from that, who also tend to be the people who have been here long enough to assume that a new law won't be enforced...

For a short-term tourist who doesn't need a local number the AT&T Go Phone from the US is easier (details on my site, below).

Rob

When I bought my new SIM at the Movistar store in the Ensenada Walmart/Home Depot center (across the parking lot from Walmart) the teenaged girl who sold it to me was, of all things, on her cell phone yakking away. I was worried that her gum would squirt out of her mouth and gunk up the keys of my cell phone.

She did not mention registering it and certainly did not ask for my passport number. This was in February of this year.

tjBill - 4-11-2010 at 01:19 PM

Anybody lose their cellphone connection? The April 10 deadline has passed.

JESSE - 4-11-2010 at 01:28 PM

You guys want a perfect example of our goverments stupidity, here it is. Its incredible how this country can operate with politicians like we have.

bajabound2005 - 4-11-2010 at 01:32 PM

ours still works and we have not registered it yet. I tried to do it on line on the telcel website at which point they were supposed to send a 4 digit code via text msg to the phone. I would then enter that code as part of the registration process...never rec'd the text. All in all, the cell companies have done a pee poor job in implementing this. Never a word from Telcel each time I bought a new card to add minutes. Then, we received FOUR text messages in the last 2 days telling us we need to register. They could have been sending those out for the past year.

oxxo - 4-11-2010 at 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tjBill
Anybody lose their cellphone connection? The April 10 deadline has passed.

I didn't register my prepaid TelCel phone and I can't call out anymore (blessing in disguise)

BUT........I CAN USE MY TELMEX PHONE TO CALL MY UNREGISTERED TELCEL PHONE AND IT WORKS FINE!!!!!!!!!!!!! :lol:

Why didn't I have to register my TelMex phone? I didn't need any passport or CURP to get one and it still works!

[Edited on 4-11-2010 by oxxo]

DianaT - 4-11-2010 at 04:06 PM

Our prepaid TelCel phone is still working north of the border---can't wait to head south and see what happens.

MitchMan - 4-12-2010 at 06:23 PM

I got a prepaid telcel mobile phone about a year and a half ago in La Paz. Last time I was in La Paz was in early March (last month) and I won't be going back to La Paz until late May this year. Are you all saying that I will have to pay for another sim card in May 2010 to be able use the phone again?

DianaT - 4-12-2010 at 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MitchMan
I got a prepaid telcel mobile phone about a year and a half ago in La Paz. Last time I was in La Paz was in early March (last month) and I won't be going back to La Paz until late May this year. Are you all saying that I will have to pay for another sim card in May 2010 to be able use the phone again?

I hope not. We have not been able to register our phone yet, but will soon be returning to Baja. We will try to register it late and see what happens. So, maybe we will have an answer for you before May.

3 Days and Counting

MrBillM - 4-13-2010 at 10:02 AM

Since the Deadline. Telcel phone working fine. Registration apparently went OK.

oxxo - 4-13-2010 at 03:24 PM

I went into the main office of Telcel in San Jose today to register my "pay as you go" phone. Small line of 2 people in front of me and it moved quickly. They took a copy of my passport and wrote my cel number on it and said, "that's it!" with a big senorita smile. No cost, no angst, no problemas. I would not be exaggerating if I said the process took less than 2 minutes. It took me more time to find a parking place than to register my phone. :bounce:

[Edited on 4-13-2010 by oxxo]

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Mulegena - 4-13-2010 at 05:35 PM

Registered today in Santa Rosalia at the Telcel office. No problems whatsoever. The clerk installed a new chip and since I could not remember the number, issued a new one for my phone.

She made a copy of my passport: She asked my location in Baja, scrolled through a list of towns and recorded the town code, recorded the new chip # and new phone number on the copy and placed all in a 3-ring binder.

Tried to register earlier at the Telcel distribution center in Mulege but the clerk was unable to do so.

Was not penalized for registering late. No worries.

No Penalty ? No Kidding !

MrBillM - 4-13-2010 at 06:07 PM

Buying a new SIM was always the alternative to registering the existing one by the deadline.

rts551 - 4-14-2010 at 07:56 AM

News in the paper said they were going to start suspending service today... even though thousands registered their phone in the president's name in protest.
http://azstarnet.com/news/world/article_0d0076fd-4255-5164-a...

But the saga continues... courts are now involved. Service suspension suspeneded
http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=32790...

[Edited on 4-14-2010 by rts551]

DianaT - 4-14-2010 at 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
News in the paper said they were going to start suspending service today... even though thousands registered their phone in the president's name in protest.
http://azstarnet.com/news/world/article_0d0076fd-4255-5164-a...

But the saga continues... courts are now involved. Service suspension suspeneded
http://www.telegeography.com/cu/article.php?article_id=32790...

[Edited on 4-14-2010 by rts551]

Look forward to the next novela episode. Just anxious to get back and get our phone registered and be done with it.

durrelllrobert - 4-14-2010 at 08:32 AM

This just ripped from the Punta Banda Bulletin Board:

By Crayton Harrison

April 13 (Bloomberg) -- America Movil SAB, the largest Mexican
wireless-phone carrier, won the right to keep serving customers who
haven't registered on an anticrime database, after a judge blocked
a government order to cut off users.

The April 10 deadline didn't give the company enough time to gather
personal data on its 59 million Mexican users for the database, America
Movil said today in a statement. The company, would have had to
disconnect unregistered customers without the court's provisional
suspension.

Mexico's 83 million mobile-phone subscribers are required by law to
submit personal information to the registry, intended to help prevent
criminals from using the devices in extortion and kidnapping schemes.
About 58 million have registered and an additional 13 million are being
processed, the Federal Telecommunications Commission said today. That
leaves about 12 million unregistered lines.

America Movil, controlled by billionaire Carlos Slim, said customers
should still enroll if they haven't already. The Mexico City-based
company has 71 percent of the country's mobile subscribers.

America Movil said 79 percent of its users have registered. The court
order will remain in effect for an undetermined amount of time during
the legal process the company is pursuing, America Movil said in an
e-mailed statement.

Telefonica SA, Mexico's second-biggest wireless carrier, said on
April 11 that it would comply with Mexican law and was working to sign
up unregistered subscribers. A spokeswoman for the Madrid-based company
didn't return phone and e-mail messages today.

America Movil rose 10 centavos to 31.34 pesos at 4 p.m. New York time
in Mexico City trading. Telefonica was unchanged at 18.02 euros in
Madrid.

Unplugged

MrBillM - 4-16-2010 at 03:50 PM

I read today where Telcel had "temporarily" disconnected 1.2 million users between Sunday and Monday for non-registration, but had reconnected over 657 thousand.

bajabound2005 - 4-17-2010 at 06:15 AM

registered ours yesterday (and yes, it was still working) at the Telcel Customer Service Center in Ensenada. There was no line at all and it took about 20 seconds. All they wanted to see was my passport. They entered the info in the computer and voila. Done.

Russ - 4-25-2010 at 11:02 AM

I went in and registered my phone last month. But since I got back a couple days age I can call the States and hear them but they can't hear me. Service in Baja works fine. Could this be that my phone was not registered correctly?
Oh yeah, I have MoviStar service.

[Edited on 4-25-2010 by Russ]

Until the Dust Settles .............

MrBillM - 4-25-2010 at 12:06 PM

Although, it appears that the Telcel registration went fine, I think I'll buy a $15 renewal card for the GO phone in the next couple of days.

My "old" Baja theory was that you needed to have a Backup to the Backup to the Backup. Not so true anymore, but maybe in this case.

BTW, driving North in the area south of La Puerta where the pavement is being carved up for more roadwork, I noticed one large Microwave tower standing on its concrete pad at about a 5 degree angle off vertical. I'm assuming from the Earthquake.

DianaT - 4-25-2010 at 01:22 PM

Registered with no problem yesterday--April 24th----but have not used it yet.

Now if this Banda Ancha would just quit disconnecting.