AT&T Mexico lights up LTE in 6 cities

AT&T closed its acquisitions of two Mexican carriers earlier this year with the goal of becoming a North American mobile service provider.

Iusacell and Nextel Mexico combined covered about 70% of Mexico, but LTE coverage was lacking, and well behind competitors Movistar and Telcel. AT&T has laid out a furiously aggressive goal to change that.

Thanks to incentives and reforms put in place by the Mexican government, AT&T acquired the smallest operator Iusacell, and bankrupt Nextel partners so that it would eventually be able provide contiguous coverage to all AT&T customers as well as provide broader featured rates to those that travel or call on both sides of the border.

AT&T Mexico customers with LTE enabled smartphones (and the proper SIM) should see LTE service in six new cities: Atlacomulco (in the state of Mexico), Cuernavaca and Cuautla (in the state of Morelos), and Pachuca, Tulancingo, and Tepeji del Rio (in the state of Hidalgo).

AT&T expects to have LTE coverage throughout its footprint in Mexico by the end of next year. Once that goal is reached, the carrier will be able to claim coverage available to more than 400 million people. The challenges to bring LTE throughout Mexico is likely only surpassed by ensuring that quality levels are at least equal to US operations so that seamless integration can be completed.

source: Tarifica Wireless