Millions of phone lines lost in Mexico due to registration drive; December deadline nears

Mexico's ambitious mobile phone registration initiative, aimed at combating crime, has inadvertently resulted in the deactivation of millions of phone lines within the first six months of 2026. The government has set a December deadline for all users to comply with the registration requirements.

The registration process, which mandates linking mobile phone numbers to official identification, has proven to be a significant hurdle for many users. The consequence has been a dramatic reduction in active lines across the country, raising concerns about accessibility and the potential impact on communication networks.

Adding to the confusion, official figures on the number of registered lines present a stark discrepancy. The Presidency of the Republic stated that 68,000 lines have been registered. However, a separate internal accounting indicates a much higher number, reaching 135,000 registered lines. This significant gap in reported data raises questions about the accuracy and transparency of the registration process's progress.

The looming December deadline intensifies the pressure on both users and authorities to resolve the issues surrounding the registration. The loss of millions of lines suggests a widespread challenge in compliance or a potentially flawed implementation of the system. The differing official counts further complicate the assessment of the program's effectiveness and reach.