AT&T begins forming US/Mexico single North American service area

US operator AT&T has announced unlimited calls at no additional cost to all Mexican numbers as part of its international World Connect Value offering. This follows AT&T’s finalised $2.5 billion acquisition of Mexican carrier Iusacell last week, and marks the first sign of the US telco’s previously stated plan to create a single North American service area covering the US and Mexico.

Unlimited calls to Mexico will be available to all current AT&T customers subscribing to the World Connect Value package, which costs $5 per month and offers low-rate calls to 225 countries.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to show our appreciation to our customers,” David Christopher, Chief Marketing Officer at AT&T Mobility said.

“Mexico is the most frequently dialled country among our wireless customers- and now they can call as much as they want with our enhanced World Connect Value package.”

With the completion of the Iusacell purcahse from Grupo Salinas, AT&T acquired the Mexican telco’s approximate 9.2 million subscribers, as well as its licenses, network assets, and retail stores.

AT&T hailed Mexico as an attractive place to invest, presumably referring to the country’s transformed competition laws as of last year forcing billionaire Carlos Slim to loosen his dominant grip on Mexico’s telecoms market. “The quick approval of this deal is one more example of why Mexico is an attractive place to invest,” Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO said.

“We look forward to bringing more wireless competition to Mexico along with an improved mobile Internet experience for customers.  Expanding and enhancing Iusacell’s mobile network to cover millions of additional consumers and businesses is our top priority.”

AT&T reckons its single North American service area will cover over 400 million consumers and businesses in the two neighbouring countries. “It won’t matter which country you’re in or which country you’re calling – it will all be one network, one customer experience,” Stephenson said.

Iusacell will continue to be headquartered in Mexico City, where it will be headed by newly appointed CEO Thaddeus Arroyo (pictured below), an AT&T veteran of 19 years. “We’ll begin work immediately to bring more wireless competition and improved mobile internet service to Mexico,” Arroyo said.

“We’re also excited to begin working on our plans to create the first-ever North American mobile service area covering more than 400 million consumers and businesses in Mexico and the United States. We look forward to bringing the benefits of AT&T’s technology and resources to Mexico and contributing to the country’s bright economic future.”