The hurdle for international mobile internet is not that other countries don’t have plentiful options. For RVers and cruisers looking to get connected to those options as nonresidents who are just passing through the country on a short-term basis, however, can feel a bit overwhelming.

While Mexico is a very large country, with large swatches lot of wild unpopulated areas, connecting while traveling Mexico is doable.

Traveling to our southern neighbor seems to be decently accessible for bandwidth junkies, as long as you are willing to deal with slower speeds than they’re used to in the States.

We’ve heard of some issues with obtaining enough fast internet for online working nomads in some of the more remote coastal areas like Baja.

Included In This Guide:

• Wi-Fi in Mexico
• Satellite Internet in Mexico (Member Exclusive)
• Cellular Frequency Bands in Mexico (Member Exclusive)
• Understanding Your US Carrier's Mexican Roaming
  • Verizon
  • AT&T
  • T-Mobile
  • Sprint
  • Google's Project Fi
  • Configuring Your Device
• Getting Local Service on Mexican Cellular Carriers
• VPN Service: Virtually Getting Back to the USA  (Member Exclusive)
• Bonus: Tips for Residents of Mexico Traveling in the US

 

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Wi-Fi in Mexico

Public Wi-Fi hotspots are widely available across Mexico, even in some of the country’s more rural areas.

Relying on Wi-Fi is the simplest way to stay connected in Mexico, since you do not need to secure any special hardware or plans in advance. Wi-Fi works exactly the same in Mexico as it does in the USA, and you can use all your current equipment.

When traveling outside the USA, Wi-Fi is likely going to be your cheapest and easiest connectivity solution, especially if you’re only going to be in an area for a brief time when it may not be worthwhile tracking down other options.

Aside from campgrounds, Wi-Fi hotspots are often accessible from cafes, coffee shops, restaurants, libraries, breweries, and more.

As with all public Wi-Fi, the usual caveats apply. Expect intermittent speeds, needing to connect in crowded public places lacking in privacy and quiet, and you will need to take precautions to keep your connection secure. Using a virtual private network (VPN) may be a smart way to protect yourself when regularly surfing on public international Wi-Fi.

Of course, public Wi-Fi hotspots will vary from free to paid, and the quality of connection will vary substantially.

Having Wi-Fi repeating gear on board can help improve your connectivity situation if the prime issue is increasing the range that the gear in your RV can pick up a hotspot signal. Often, no amount of gear will make any difference. Very often it is the upstream connection itself that is very limited – especially in small remote towns. And no amount or type of gear will increase the speeds or availability of the Wi-Fi access point itself.

We are also huge proponents of being especially considerate of others sharing the same Wi-Fi network as you. Streaming video should only be attempted if you have gotten an explicit 'OK' from the network manager. Don't be the one who drags the internet to a crawl for everyone. In some rural areas, there is just not a lot of connectivity to go around.

For more info and tips on extending your Wi-Fi capabilities: Getting Better Wi-Fi – Selecting Long Range Wi-Fi Extending Gear

Wi-Fi Calling Tip: Every one of the big four cellular carriers now supports Wi-Fi Calling on compatible phones. If your phone supports this, you can make and receive text messages and voice calls over Wi-Fi, even if you have no cellular service.

Make sure to set up Wi-Fi Calling before your trip to Mexico, and then you can leave your phone in airplane mode (but with Wi-Fi turned on) to still be able to make calls when you need to, assuming you can find Wi-Fi that is.

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Satellite Internet in Mexico

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Understanding your US Carrier's Mexican Roaming

In the past couple of years, all of the US based cellular carriers have vastly improved their international roaming agreements - making it even easier to stay connected when you cross borders.

Here are the options for the four top US carriers for travel in Mexico.

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Verizon

Verizon offers two different options for international travel. Verizon's unlimited plan and XL and larger tiered plans (now grandfathered) are a top pick for Mexico travel.

• Verizon Beyond Unlimited and Go Unlimited (their most recent plans) includes voice and text roaming in Mexico, as well as 500MB/day per line of high-speed data usage across the continent - with performance reduced to 2G speeds if you exhaust the 500MB amount. Hotspot is permitted, and subject to the 15GB of high speed usage cap per month.
  • If you are planning an extended trip in Mexico, do be aware of Verizon's fine print: "If more than 50% of your talk, text or data usage in a 60–day period is in Canada or Mexico, use of those services in those countries may be removed or limited."
• Verizon Prepaid does not include or allow any data usage in Mexico.

• Tiered Data Plans: Verizon customers on capped data plans can access their existing domestic plan while traveling in Mexico – including talk, text and high-speed data. You can add TravelPass for $5/day to use your domestic talk, text and data allowances for a 24-hour period in which you utilize your plan.
  • You must enable TravelPass on the MyVerizon website or mobile app to enable in the International Services section. There is no charge to make this change and keep it active.
  • The fees will only be charged on days you actually use your plan’s inclusions; but if you go over your plan's data limit, you'll be hit with overage and roaming charges.
  • High-speed data usage is limited to 500mb per day.
  • If no service is used in a 24-hour period, there is no charge. We recommend turning your cellular off on your phone if you are using this service trying to avoid charges for periods of non use.
  • Monthly Mexico add-ons are also available, but are restrictive and pricey. The $15 per month pack includes 100 minutes, 100 sent texts, and 100MB of roaming data each month, while the $25 plan comes with 500 minutes of talk, 500 sent texts and 1GB of data.
  • Legacy plans of 16GB or higher (XL) include coverage in Mexico at no extra charge. They do reserve the right to suspend international usage if at least 50% usage is not with in the USA over a 2 month period. These plans are no longer available for new customers.

• Monthly International Travel: If you prefer a monthly plan, Verizon offers a few options. In Mexico and Canada you can add a monthly plan by line for $10 – $25/month that gives you a bucket of minutes (or access to 99 cent/minute rates), text messaging, and a monthly data allowance.
  • Currently, the $15 per month pack includes 100 minutes, 100 sent texts, and 100MB of roaming data each month, while the $25 plan comes with 500 minutes of talk, 500 sent texts and 1GB of data.
• More Information: Verizon's International Page

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AT&T

AT&T is a very compelling option for nomads who frequently travel south of the border.

Not only does the AT&T brand own much of the spectrum in Mexico via its acquisition of Iusacell in 2014 and Nextel Mexico in 2015 (deemed AT&T Mexico), AT&T US offers some very flexible roaming options when traveling south.

The new AT&T Unlimited smartphone plans include the "Roam North America" feature which allows you to use your plan (voice, text, and data) in Mexico with almost no limitations.

Yes - even unlimited hotspots on the Unlimited plan will work. This makes AT&T an extremely compelling option for RVers who wish to travel south of the border for limited periods of time.

•  AT&T Unlimited Plus Enhanced and Unlimited Choice Enhanced plans, allow for unlimited talk, text, and data access Mexico - with no additional roaming charges.
• Grandfathered AT&T Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Choice plans, allow for unlimited talk, text, and data access Mexico - with no additional roaming charges.

  • You can use data in Mexico (and Canada) with no roaming charges. You do not need to add the Roam North America feature, it is automatically on the account. However, if a customer uses more than 50% of their data in Mexico (or Canada) for two consecutive months, the feature may be removed.

• AT&T Connected Car Plan ('Mobley Plan') does not include any international use - including Mexico.
• Mobile Share Advantage Plans 
  • On 10GB plans or higher there are no roaming charges for voice, text, and data plan usage while in Mexico.
  • Plans with less than 10GB of data get 1GB of high speed Mexican data, but the feature must be turned on in advance before a trip.
• Wireless Home Phone Plans (Home Base Plans) do not include any international use - including Mexico
• Cricket Wireless, AT&T's own prepaid subsidiary allows all of a plan's data, voice, and text to be used in Mexico. This feature is included on their unlimited plan as well. However, roaming off of AT&T Mexico's towers will result in data speeds being reduced to 2G speeds.
• AT&T Prepaid,  another AT&T's prepaid subsidiary includes full calling, texting and data usage on its 6GB and Unlimited plans in Mexico. Usage in Mexico cannot exceed 50% of the total number of texts, voice minutes, or data in a month for any consecutive three-month period, or service may be terminated.

More Information: AT&T's International Page

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T-Mobile

 

T-Mobile offers decent data plan options in Mexico.

In Mexico, T-Mobile tends to roam on Telcel maps, but has been known to utilize Movistar when needed.

T-Mobile's high-speed data is NOT throttled in Mexico. Whatever speed Mexican towers and partners are capable of providing is the speed you will be getting.

T-Mobile Mexico Roaming Terms:

• T-Mobile ONE and ONE Plus plans offer more limited data access in Mexico, capped to 5GB/month of data usage in Mexico as of November 12th, 2017.
  • Data usage in Mexico is capped to 5GB / month - and if you happen to also travel to Canada in the same month, you are using one 5GB data bucket between the two.
  • After 5GB is used in Mexico (and/or Canada), data speeds are slowed to 128kbps for ONE plans, and ONE+ plans are slowed to 256kbps.
• T-Mobile's Essential plan offers unlimited texting, talk and data at 2G speeds in Mexico and Canada.
• T-Mobile ONE Prepaid plans 
  • Data usage in Mexico is capped to 5GB / month - and if you happen to also travel to Canada in the same month, you are using one 5GB data bucket between the two.
  • After 5GB is used in Mexico (and/or Canada), data speeds are slowed to 128kbps for ONE plans, and ONE+ plans are slowed to 256kbps.
• T-Mobile Simply Prepaid plans can get the same Mexico features as T-Mobile ONE Prepaid plans for an additional $5/month per line.
• Metro by T-Mobile, T-Mobile's prepaid brand offers roaming in Mexico for $5/month extra, with a cap of 5GB.
• Retired Plans:
  • T-Mobile One +International included unlimited high speed data use in Canada & Mexico without the 5GB/month cap. This was THE plan to have for North American use. This plan is now grandfathered in.
  • Simple Choice T-Mobile Plans, including the now retired Simple Choice North America or other legacy rate plans (with a qualifying Mexico feature) are also now capped to 5GB/month of data usage in Mexico as of November 12th, 2017.
    • Data usage in Mexico is capped to 5GB / month - and if you happen to also travel to Canada in the same month, you are using one 5GB data bucket between the two.
    • After 5GB is used in Mexico (and/or Canada), data speeds are slowed to 128kbps.

T-Mobile plans are not intended for extended international travel, and it seems T-Mobile defines this as 60% US usage over the course of a couple of months - and we have confirmed reports of termination letters from those who have pushed the limits.

More information: T-Mobile's International Page

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Sprint

Sprint's international plans are a bit confusing – and seem to change on a whim.

• Unlimited Smartphone Plans: Have free roaming in Canada and Mexico with LTE data.
  • Unlimited Basic:  5GB of LTE Data
  • Unlimited Plus: 10GB of LTE Data
  • Unlimited Premium: Unlimited LTE Data
• Premium International Experience (now retired) Unlimited Freedom plan customers get free LTE data roaming, texts and voice calls in Mexico - deemed the "Premium International Experience."
• "Sprint Global Roaming" those who are not on an 'unlimited Freedom' plan are eligible for this option. You get free unlimited data, text messaging, and voice calls for 20-cents a minute – but data speeds are limited to 2G (64kbps) speed on the Global Roaming plan, even in Canada and Mexico. You must sign up for this 'add on' at least 3 days in advance of your international usage.
• Data Passes If you are not eligible for the "Premium International Experience" (aka, on an Unlimited Freedom plan), but you still need faster access at faster than 2G speeds, you can purchase data passes. These passes provide you with full speed data for $2 a day or $10 a week - limited to the constraints (data limits) of your plan.

Sprint's fine print implies that they network manage all international data usage, stating:

To improve data experience for the majority of users, throughput may be limited, varied or reduced on the network. Sprint may terminate service if off-network roaming usage in a month exceeds a majority of KB. Offers and coverage not available everywhere or for all phones/networks. Network speeds subject to coverage/device availability. Sprint reserves the right to change or discontinue offer at any time.

So basically, these international plans are not meant to be used for lengthy periods of time - make sure you are using most of your data in the US.

More information: Sprint's International Page

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Google Project Fi

Google's "Project Fi" cellular service utilizes T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular behind the scenes domestically, but also offers a very flexible data usage package while traveling.

When in partnered countries (roughly the same 140+ that T-Mobile offers), you just pay the standard $10/GB rate that you pay in the US, and speeds are now full speed as supported by your device and the roaming partner.

 

More information: Google Fi International Page

Configuring Your Device

Some devices, particularly mobile hotspots, may have settings to enable or disable roaming, to include international roaming.  These are designed to allow customers to turn off roaming and avoid inadvertent roaming charges.

If you plan to travel to Canada, check your devices to ensure that any international roaming options are enabled.  Usually these options can be accessed through the device's web-based configuration interface.

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Getting Local Service on Mexican Cellular Carriers

US citizens can also easily pick up a Mexican SIM card from one of the three major carriers – Telcel AT&T Mexico, and Movistar.

If you’re picking up a phone service in Mexico, it’s very important to note that the country is divided into nine regions, and calling is considered long distance between them. So if you pick up a phone service in Region 2, your number will be assigned there. If you travel to another region, your number will now be roaming in the new region for local calls.

If you’ll be making a lot of in-country calls, it may be best to pick up SIMs for each region you plan to travel.

For data, however, there is no roaming limits when it comes to regions.

There are three major carriers in Mexico – Telcel, AT&T Mexico, and Movistar.

• Telcel (www.telcel.mx) is neck-and-neck with AT&T Mexico in the race for supremacy in terms of coverage and speeds. Speeds are reported to be at 3G in most places, but their 4G network is growing. You’ll need an unlocked GSM device (UMTA/HSDPA 850/1900MHz), such as a device off of AT&T or T-Mobile, to utilize Telcel service. Most recent Verizon phones are unlocked and will work too.
  • You can preorder a SIM card while in the US, and then just pop it in your device when you cross the border – or you can stop in any Telcel office, which are widely available countrywide. According to other travelers, you may have difficulty setting up a new account at a kiosk station, unless you speak Spanish well or happen upon someone overly helpful. The larger offices tend to keep an English speaker on staff to assist visitors to the country. The SIM card (called “chips” in some places) will cost about 149 pesos.
• AT&T Mexico (www.att.com.mx) is a head-to-head competitor of Telcel for speed and coverage in Mexico. AT&T Mexico has less native Mexican customers than Telcel, likely due to their recent entry into the market there (2015).
• Movistar (www.movistar.mx) is the smallest of the three main carrier. If you’re going to be in mainly metropolitan areas in Mexico, then Movistar may be an option for you. Movistar has less coverage throughout the country, but it is cheaper and faster. They have offices to set up your service in the markets they serve.

International Roaming Services

• Telecom Square - Offers international daily unlimited data plan rentals starting at $12.95.
• SkyRoam - Offers international daily unlimited data plan rentals starting at $8/day.
• AlwaysOnline Wireless - Offers on demand hourly & daily international plans that can be activated from a single SIM card. Rates vary by country. In the US, they roam onto T-Mobile.

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VPN Service: Virtually Getting Back to the USA

This Section is a MIA Member Exclusive

This advanced portion of the guide is a premium-member exclusive.

We are honored that we are member & reader funded. It enables us to create lots of free public content here on the resource center.

If you're a member, please log in above - or if you're not yet:

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Tips for Residents of Mexico Traveling in the US

For Mexicans traveling in the US who don't have access to a US billing address and credit card - here are some options worth considering:

• US Prepaid Plans – Obtaining a pre-paid or reseller plan with the major US carrier might be feasible, but tricky. The carriers may require a US based credit card and mailing address. Between using a prepaid credit card, or picking up refill cards in stores – and using the mailing address of a US friend or relative – you might be able to navigate this.
  • T-Mobile in particular offers a 21-day 'Tourist' Plan to those visiting from outside the US
• Rent/Lease Unlimited Plan – For Mexicans wanting lots of data, there are rental unlimited plans that can be obtained on a month-to-month basis on many of the major carriers. Since you are signing up with a reseller, they should be easier to work with as a non-US citizen. Check eBay as well for rental options.
• AT&T - If you are an AT&T Mexico customer, check your plans for possible roaming partnerships with the US AT&T (parent company)

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Summary

The allure of our neighbor to the South is magical for many US based RVers and cruisers. If Mexico has caught your eye, rest assured that you can explore the vast country of Mexico while still maintaining some semblance of connectivity. Be prepared to research, plan, and be flexible, but know that for most, maintaining a decent mobile internet connection is possible.

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