I don't have any information on prepaid phone providers in Mexico; if they're as prevalent as they are here in the States, how will this affect those users? Can you just register the phone as belonging to Inigo Montoya and be done with it?
Prepaid phones are much more common in Mexico than in the U.S. You can buy one at any convenience store (Though Carlos Slim has more OXXO stores, there are thousands of 7-Elevens here, if you can believe it). I would say 60% of phones are pre-paid. Mine is.
This program is set to be a major hassle for people who live in Mexico and don't have a C.U.R.P. - as in all tourists and permanent foreign residents not legal to work... retirees, students, etc. (out of 150,000 Americans in Mexico). This includes me and my immediate family. I've had a cellphone here for going on 3 years. This will suck if I have to re-register my phone, as you get major discounts for ever year you keep your number.
Probably most foreigners will have a Mexican friend buy the phone for them, and if we Gringos can figure this out, I'm sure drug dealers, kidnappers, and corrupt police can work around it as well. Like so many bureaucratic security measures (think taking off your shoes at the airport) it is easily worked around by the real bad guys and just provides a major hassle for everyday-folk.
For more info about US citizens in Mexico this page is pretty good:
http://www.peoplesguide.com/1pages/retire/work/bil-maste/%23americans.html
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I don't have any information on prepaid phone providers in Mexico; if they're as prevalent as they are here in the States, how will this affect those users? Can you just register the phone as belonging to Inigo Montoya and be done with it?
Prepaid phones are much more common in Mexico than in the U.S. You can buy one at any convenience store (Though Carlos Slim has more OXXO stores, there are thousands of 7-Elevens here, if you can believe it). I would say 60% of phones are pre-paid. Mine is. This program is set to be a major hassle for people who live in Mexico and don't have a C.U.R.P. - as in all tourists and permanent foreign residents not legal to work... retirees, students, etc. (out of 150,000 Americans in Mexico). This includes me and my immediate family. I've had a cellphone here for going on 3 years. This will suck if I have to re-register my phone, as you get major discounts for ever year you keep your number. Probably most foreigners will have a Mexican friend buy the phone for them, and if we Gringos can figure this out, I'm sure drug dealers, kidnappers, and corrupt police can work around it as well. Like so many bureaucratic security measures (think taking off your shoes at the airport) it is easily worked around by the real bad guys and just provides a major hassle for everyday-folk. For more info about US citizens in Mexico this page is pretty good: http://www.peoplesguide.com/1pages/retire/work/bil-maste/%23americans.html