Mexico is home to a very fierce and saturated mobile telecommunication industry which features several providers. One can find it tough selecting a proper GSM operator in Mexico due to the plenty of choices at one’s disposal. To summarize, this article gives a detailed analysis of leading Mexican cellular operators, factors for making a choice among them as well as comparative view of the leaders by coverage, speeds, tariffs and others.

mobile operators in mexico for tourist

I. List of Mobile Operators in Mexico

1. Main Mobile Operators in Mexico

Operator Ownership Year Established Subscribers in Mexico Mobile Services
Telcel America Movil 1990 ~70% market share 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G
Movistar Telefónica 1990 ~22% market share 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G
AT&T Mexico AT&T 1990/2015 ~7% market share 4G LTE

Some other smaller mobile operators in Mexico include Altán Redes, Megacable, Totalplay, Virgin Mobile, among others. Most of the smaller operators are mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs).

2. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) in Mexico

Some of the key MVNOs in Mexico include:

  • Bait – Cited as the leading MVNO in Mexico with 36.2% of all 8 million mobile lines at the end of June 2022.
  • Freedom Pop – The second largest MVNO in Mexico with 15.1% market share.
  • Oui – Another top MVNO in Mexico with a market share of 7.9%.
  • Virgin – Operates as an MVNO in Mexico, holding a 6.6% market share.
  • Megamóvil – Mexican MVNO with a market share of 5.4%.
  • Oxxo Cel – Mexican MVNO owned by Oxxo, a convenience store chain. It has a small market share of 1.6%.
  • Altán – Identified as one of the leaders in leasing their networks to MVNOs alongside Telcel and AT&T.

In general, MVNOs in Mexico offer cheaper rates than the main operators by renting the networks of established players like Telcel, Movistar or AT&T Mexico. They target budget/prepaid segments.

II. How to Choose the Best Mobile Operator in Mexico

choose sim card

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a mobile operator in Mexico:

  • Coverage – Check coverage maps to ensure the operator offers service in the areas you need it. Telcel generally has the best nationwide coverage.
  • Network speeds – Telcel and AT&T Mexico have the fastest 4G LTE speeds around 20-50 Mbps on average. Movistar lags behind.
  • Prices and plans – Compare monthly rates, prepaid rates, data amounts and other plan details. MVNOs often have cheaper deals.
  • Customer service – Ask locals or read reviews about the quality of customer service and support. This varies by operator.
  • Roaming – Some operators offer better international roaming rates and packages if you travel frequently.
  • Devices and contracts – Look for operators that allow bringing your own device or BYOD plans. Avoid contracts if possible.
  • Frequency bands – Your phone needs to support the right bands like 700MHz, 850MHz depending on operator.
  • VoLTE/WiFi calling – Availability of HD Voice over LTE and WiFi calling. Movistar has poor VoLTE support.

In short, the article looks at how the MVNOs are taking over the market in Mexico, major players, effects it is having on competition in Mexico and future prospects.

III. Best Mobile Operators in Mexico – Detailed Comparison

Based on coverage, network performance, prices, and other metrics – here is a detailed comparison of the top mobile operators in Mexico:

Best Mobile Operators in Mexico - Detailed Comparison

Operator Coverage 4G coverage Download Speed Upload Speed Average price (USD)
Telcel 99% 99% 25-50 Mbps 10-15 Mbps USD 14-24 per month
AT&T Mexico 97% 97% 15-30 Mbps 5-10 Mbps USD 12-19 per month
Movistar 95% 95% 10-25 Mbps 3-8 Mbps USD 10-17 per month

Which operator should you choose?

The above table shows that Telcel is the top performing mobile operator in Mexico. The largest market share, widest coverage and the fastest speeds are with Telcel which is one of the big 3 mobile operators in Mexico. While Telcel remains almost the same with other operators, it has an advantage because it is the only provider offering 3.5 GHz of bandwidth.

In the end, you should choose an appropriate mobile operator according to your personal tastes and pocket size. For the best performance and coverage, Telcel is your best alternative. Depending on your money situation, you can choose between AT&T Mexico and Movistar.

IV. Where to Buy SIM Card from Mexico Mobile Operators?

Here are some tips on where to purchase SIM cards from Mexican mobile operators:

  • Airport kiosks – Major airports in Mexico have dedicated booths or stores for mobile operators where you can buy SIM cards and get them set up.
  • Retail stores – All the big carriers like Telcel, Movistar and AT&T Mexico have retail outlets in cities where you can buy SIM cards or get existing service.
  • Supermarkets – Many supermarkets like OXXO stock prepaid SIM cards from major providers which you can easily pick up.
  • Online – Some operators sell SIM cards on their website which can be delivered to your hotel or Airbnb. Allows preorder before arrival.
  • Resellers – Local phone shops and resellers also offer SIM cards from various providers. Can be more affordable than airport shops.

When purchasing your Mexican SIM, remember to carry your passport for identification and verification. Most SIM cards come with small starter credit balance.

V. Do Mobile Operators in Mexico Offer eSIM?

Based on recent reports, some major mobile operators in Mexico do offer eSIM support:

  • AT&T Mexico – Offers eSIM support for iPhone and Google Pixel devices. Allows activating service plans digitally without a physical SIM card.
  • Telcel – Mexico’s largest operator by subscriber count. Launched eSIM support in 2022 for postpaid plans on select Apple and Samsung devices. Customers can activate service online.
  • Movistar – Part of Telefonica group. Introduced eSIM support in early 2023, allowing customers to activate new lines or migrate existing ones to a digital SIM. Supported on latest iPhone and Pixel models.

Travelers visiting Mexico now have a convenient option to stay connected with eSIM. Major operators like AT&T Mexico, Telcel and Movistar offer eSIM support on select devices, allowing digital activation of postpaid plans. However, dealing directly with local carriers can be complicated for tourists due to paperwork or other hurdles.

A better alternative is purchasing an eSIM plan from esim-mexico.com. As Mexico’s top eSIM provider powered by GIGAGO, they offer great value data packages on reliable networks without contracts or deposits. Simply purchase a plan, receive the activation QR code via email, and scan it on your device to connect instantly to GIGAGO’s high-speed network. No need to swap physical SIM cards – just download and go.

VI. FAQs

How much does a Mexican SIM card cost?

SIM cards from major Mexican operators start around 200-300 Pesos ($10-15 USD). Prepaid plans around 500 Pesos ($25 USD) offer a couple GB of data. Monthly postpaid plans start around 600-800 Pesos ($30-40) with higher data limits.

Which mobile operator has the best coverage in Mexico?

Telcel has the best overall coverage in Mexico reaching 92% of the population with 4G LTE. AT&T Mexico also offers excellent coverage in major cities and metro areas. Movistar’s 4G footprint is good in urban zones.

How fast is 4G LTE in Mexico?

4G LTE speeds in Mexico range from 15-50 Mbps down on average depending on carrier. Telcel and AT&T Mexico have the fastest speeds around 20-50 Mbps while Movistar is a bit slower around 10-25 Mbps down.

Is 5G available in Mexico?

Yes, 5G networks are now live in Mexico from operators like Telcel, AT&T Mexico, Movistar and others. Coverage is still limited mostly to large cities. Download speeds range from 100-500 Mbps on 5G.

VII. Conclusion

Choosing a mobile data provider in Mexico involves considering coverage, speeds, pricing and other factors. While the major carriers Telcel, AT&T and Movistar all offer extensive networks, dealing directly with them can be inconvenient for visitors due to paperwork or other hurdles.

For hassle-free connectivity during trips to Mexico, consider choosing eSim from esim-mexico.com. Their user-friendly eSIMs eliminate the need to navigate each local provider’s signup processes, documents or roaming charges. It provides a seamless mobile experience for tourists at affordable prices.