bajarich
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New Cell Phone Tax
I just talked to a Cingular rep about signing up for their "World Service" plan before I head for Baja. He told me that the Mexican Gov't had just
added a 17 cent/minute tax on all cell phone calls. That would be on top of the 59 cents/minute World Plan charge.
Does anyone know anything about this new tax?
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Riom
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajarich
He told me that the Mexican Gov't had just added a 17 cent/minute tax on all cell phone calls. |
Is that for incoming calls? What has changed recently is that Mexico has switched to "calling party pays" for mobile phone calls, the same system
used in most of the world outside the US and Canada. This means that incoming calls to a local cellphone are (generally) free to the receiver (don't
use airtime), but it costs more to call a mobile phone than to call a landline.
You'll see the change on the tariffs of most phone companies - it now costs (much) more to call a cell number in Mexico from overseas than to call a
landline.
Since the Cingular number is a US number this doesn't directly apply, but what's probably happened is Cingular's roaming partner has increased the
incoming rates and they're passing that on. Looks like the money ends up in Telcel or Movistar's pocket, to subsidise free incoming for local phones.
It's not a tax.
[Edited on 1-16-2007 by Riom]
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bajarich
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Thanks. He didn't really say what the tax was on. When I called Cingular to add the service, the lady didn't know anything about it. She just said
$5.99/ mo and 59 cents/ min, so I hope that's all it is. I guess I'll find out when I get the bill.
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chaswalter
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Registered: 12-11-2006
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Hi, I am using a Cingular Samsung Blackjack down here in Baja, currently San Ignacio, and much to my surprise I am getting online tethered to my
laptop with decent speeds. I have the unlmtd laptop connect account stateside.
Would I be getting charged extra for connecting from Baja or anyone else in Mexico? I cant believe this works this far down here! I love it I think
until I see my bill...
Much thanks,
CW
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baja829
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Location: South Campos, San Felipe, BN
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What does the World Service Plan cost? Cingular had a special plan for Mexico 2 yrs. ago, but ended it. It was excellent. Maybe your plan is a
substitute for that one.
It's great that we don't get charged when someone calls us, but some of our friends and families must be getting their bills, as we're getting fewer
calls from the States.
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bajarich
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It's supposed to be $5.99 per month and then 59 cents per minute. That's what the guy said, but then he said something about this 17 cent per minute
tax. The lady who signed me up didn't know anything about the tax.
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