Mexico's Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT) concluded an extension for registering mobile telephone lines ending in zero. Although the precise number of users who failed to complete this procedure was not known, analysts estimated it was a high proportion, given that of more than 71 million active mobile numbers in the country, fewer than half had been registered.
The CRT originally set 30 June as the deadline, but faced with the significant backlog observed, extended the deadline for registering numbers in stages with deadlines between August and December. Users who fail to comply with the requirement will lose access to calling, messaging and data services within 72 hours after the corresponding deadline passes.
Authorities identified three main obstacles: lack of awareness of the regulation, fear that personal information would be misused, and technical difficulties with the registration platforms of mobile phone companies. Officials recommended strengthening awareness campaigns through mobile devices themselves, via text messages, messaging services and automated calls.
Both the authority and telephone companies stated that the measure would increase user security by reducing crimes such as extortion, simulated kidnappings and telephone fraud, as it would allow control of the lines from which such offences are committed. Operators were urged to improve customer service to guide users through the registration and line reactivation procedures.
Mexico is among few countries where it is still possible to acquire a mobile phone chip without any control or verification, according to regulators' observations. Authorities warned that a new postponement of the deadline would be undesirable, but disconnecting a significant number of users would cause discontent, inconvenience and significant risks.