Probable Increase in Charges for Calling Wireless Telephones in Mexico
What is happening to the charge for calling a wireless phone in Mexico?
Beginning as early as November 4, 2006, calls to wireless phones in Mexico are expected to cost significantly more than they do today, with likely charges of at least 14 cents per minute imposed by Mexican telephone companies. Rates are increasing because the Mexican government recently decided to allow Mexican telephone companies to charge more for connecting calls to wireless phones in Mexico from other countries, including the United States. Your calls to wireless phones in Mexico may soon be billed at a significantly higher rate than they have been billed in the past. This increase will apply only to calls to wireless phones in Mexico – not calls to fixed-line phones.
The Mexican government is also changing the method for dialing calls to wireless phones in Mexico. When the rate increases take effect, you will need to dial a “1” before the ten-digit number to reach a wireless phone in Mexico.
Why are calls to wireless phones in many countries more expensive?
In the U.S., wireless phone subscribers pay for all of the calls they make, as well as the calls they receive. Many other countries, however, have a “calling party pays” system for calls to wireless phones. Wireless phone subscribers pay only for the outgoing calls they place to others. They do not have to pay for the incoming calls they receive. The “calling party” must pay for calls placed to wireless phones. While this system may seem to benefit wireless phone users, it tends to raise the price of telephone service overall. The system also causes headaches for U.S. consumers, who often don’t know that their international call is connecting to a wireless phone, or that the charge for the call could be much higher than an international call to a fixed-line phone.
If you place an international call to a wireless phone in a country with a “calling party pays” system, you usually pay a higher rate. U.S. customers have seen significantly higher bills for many of their international calls for this reason. For more information on charges for international calls to wireless phones, see our Consumer Advisory, Surcharges for International Calls to Wireless Phones, at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/surcharge.html. You may be able to reduce your bills for international calls by placing them to fixed-line phones whenever possible.
The Mexican government recently decided to change to a calling party pays system for long distance and international calls to wireless phones in Mexico, but is still finalizing its rules. It has announced that calling party pays, the resulting rate increases, and the need to dial a “1” before the ten-digit number will take effect on November 4, 2006. It has also announced that Mexican telephone companies will charge at least 14 cents per minute for connecting calls to wireless phones in Mexico. This rate is significantly higher than the current rate. The effective date and amount of the rate increase could change, however, and additional charges could be imposed next year. When the higher rates take effect, your long distance or calling card company will determine how much it will adjust the rates it charges you based on the amount of the increase.
What should I do next?
Contact your long distance or calling card company to learn more about the amount of any rate increases and when they will take effect, and to get dialing instructions for calls to wireless phones in Mexico. If you are unsure whether you’re calling a wireless or fixed-line phone, call your long distance or calling card company to find out. Your long distance company may also send you additional information about possible rate increases and dialing instructions for calls to wireless phones in Mexico.
For Further Information
For more information, contact the FCC’s Consumer Center by sending an email to fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice, 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554.
