The Regulatory Clock and the Biometric Bottleneck
The CRT’s phone registry, established under the 2023 telecom law, requires all active SIM cards to be tied to a government-issued ID and biometric data by June 2026. The goal is to reduce fraud and extortion linked to anonymous lines. However, progress has been slow, with only a portion of Mexico’s 120 million mobile users completing the process by early 2026. The primary obstacle has been the biometric scan requirement, which involves submitting facial photos or fingerprints through remote platforms. Some users expressed concerns about the process, while technical issues in remote registration systems further complicated adoption.
Altán Redes, which supports approximately 30 million lines through its wholesale network, introduced a modification to address these challenges. In an April 25 notice to its virtual operator clients, the company announced that in-person registrations at physical retail locations would no longer require biometric verification. Instead, users need only present an official ID containing their CURP—a unique population registry code—to link their phone number to their identity. This adjustment simplifies the process for those registering in person.
According to reporting by El Economista, Altán stated that for in-person linkages, the life-proof test could be omitted, provided operators maintain active physical points of sale or customer service locations. The requirement for brick-and-mortar presence creates a distinction between operators with retail networks and those without, potentially influencing market dynamics.
Physical Retail as a Regulatory Workaround
The exemption alters the registration process by creating two distinct workflows. Remote registrations continue to require biometric scans, while in-person registrations rely solely on CURP verification. This division establishes a system where physical retail locations offer a more straightforward path to compliance.
The change has implications for virtual operators, particularly those with existing retail infrastructure. For example, BAIT, the mobile brand owned by Walmart Mexico, operates over 2,700 locations through Walmart and Bodega Aurrerá. These stores provide a built-in network for in-person registrations, allowing BAIT to benefit from the exemption without additional investment. Digital-native operators, however, remain subject to the biometric requirement, which could affect their ability to compete in a market where registration speed influences customer acquisition.
Altán’s decision also raises questions about potential pricing adjustments. The company previously charged virtual operators for a registration suite that included biometric validation tools. Whether these fees will be modified in light of the exemption remains uncertain. As reported by Ruptura360, Altán instructed its clients to confirm their interest in enabling the new modality by April 29, noting that necessary adjustments would follow. The lack of clarity on pricing suggests the exemption may prioritize compliance over cost considerations.
The Privacy Paradox and the CRT’s Next Move
Altán’s adjustment highlights the broader challenges of balancing regulatory goals with user concerns. The CRT’s mandate to eliminate anonymous lines aims to enhance security, but the biometric requirement has sparked debate. Some stakeholders have raised questions about the collection and storage of sensitive data, while others view it as a necessary measure for law enforcement. By allowing in-person registrations to proceed without biometrics, Altán’s move shifts the focus toward identity verification rather than data collection.
The CRT has not yet publicly addressed Altán’s exemption, but its response will be critical in shaping the registry’s future. The agency could accept the change as a practical solution, effectively formalizing the two-tiered system. Alternatively, it might insist on uniform biometric verification across all registration channels, which would require virtual operators to either expand their retail presence or accept slower adoption rates. Such a decision could have significant financial implications in a market dominated by prepaid lines and high customer churn.
For now, the exemption serves as a temporary measure rather than a comprehensive solution. It accelerates compliance for operators with retail networks but leaves digital-only players and their customers subject to the original process. The CRT’s next steps will determine whether Altán’s adjustment becomes a permanent feature of Mexico’s telecom landscape or a short-term deviation from the biometric registry model.
What to Watch: Pricing, Enforcement, and the Retail Advantage
1. Will Altán adjust its pricing for virtual operators? The company’s initial registration suite included biometric validation tools, which may no longer be necessary for in-person registrations. If Altán reduces fees, it could lower costs for smaller operators. If not, the exemption’s potential benefits may be limited.
2. How will the CRT enforce the June 2026 deadline? With millions of lines still unregistered, the agency faces decisions about extending the deadline, easing enforcement, or penalizing non-compliant operators. Strict enforcement could disproportionately impact digital-native players, who lack the retail infrastructure to utilize Altán’s exemption.
3. Will other wholesale networks adopt similar exemptions? If competitors like Telcel or Movistar implement comparable changes, the two-tiered system could become standard. If they do not, Altán’s virtual operators may gain a competitive edge, potentially reshaping market share in Mexico’s mobile sector.
For consumers, the exemption simplifies registration—but only for those who visit physical stores. Remote registrations still require biometrics, creating a divide that could widen as the deadline nears. For telecom professionals and policymakers, the broader significance lies in what Altán’s move reveals about regulatory adaptability. When compliance deadlines meet practical challenges, market-driven adjustments emerge. Whether the CRT permits these adjustments to persist will determine the registry’s long-term viability.
