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Mexican Village Creates Its Own Mobile Phone Service

Posted by Soulskill on from the NSA-surveillance-team-on-their-way dept.

Dave_Minsky writes "The small indigenous village of Villa Talea de Castro (pop. 2,500) in the state of Oaxaca is showing the world that it doesn't have to rely on major cellular telecommunications providers for service. With the help from indigenous groups, civil organizations and universities, village residents put up an antenna on a rooftop, installed radio and computer equipment, and created its own micro provider called Red Celular de Talea. Service costs only 15 pesos ($1.2) per month and a few pennies per minute to make calls to the United States. However, there is one catch: calls are limited to a maximum of five minutes to prevent saturation of lines."

6 of 110 comments (clear)

  1. Max 5min on calls by Qazimov · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it bad that I would pay extra to have this 5min rule on voice calls?

    1. Re:Max 5min on calls by gstoddart · · Score: 3, Funny

      I don't think the GP is saying it's a bad idea, he's saying he'd pay for that as a feature.

      "Hi Mom, everything is OK, yes, that's a fascinating story about Aunt Myrtle ... Oh, gee, look at the time ... gottago, kthanksbye".

      Slightly more on topic, I should think some phone service would be far better than no phone service. Many of us take this kind of stuff for granted, but that's far from true for much of the world.

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      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:Max 5min on calls by AliasMarlowe · · Score: 4, Funny

      A whole bunch of my extended family should move there... Maybe make the call limit 3 minutes or less.

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      Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. - Voltaire
  2. Re:Other private Mexican mobile phone services by gstoddart · · Score: 5, Insightful

    While I have no doubt that TFA describes a fine public service built by those of the highest integrity, I must confess that my first thought was quite the opposite, given recent history.

    It is just as unfair to assume everyone in Mexico is involved in the drug cartels as it is to assume everyone in America is a spy for the NSA and supports what they do.

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    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  3. feature, not a catch by DeBaas · · Score: 3, Funny

    However, there is one catch: calls are limited to a maximum of five minutes to prevent saturation of lines."

    Every married man knows this is not a catch but a feature

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  4. Re:Other private Mexican mobile phone services by thaylin · · Score: 4, Funny

    (I would move to Canada if it were warmer). .

    Just give it a few years..

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    When you cant win, ad hominem.