Alexandra Borgeaud
Research expert covering cybersecurity and tech in Latin America
Mobile communications in Mexico - statistics & facts
With a population of over 125 million people hungry for data, Mexico is a large and diverse market for mobile communication services. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in smartphone use, with more and more people relying on mobile devices for communication, social media, and entertainment. Out of 577 billion Mexican pesos, or around 34 billion U.S. dollars, generated by the Mexican telecommunications sector in 2023, nearly 60 percent was generated by the mobile subsector. In terms of subscriptions, Mexico is one of the largest mobile markets in Latin America, surpassed only by Brazil – the region’s most populated country.
Regarding mobile internet, in 2024, Mexican telecom companies are expected to provide their services to nearly 74 million mobile internet users. The vast majority of users surf the internet on their smartphones, which account for almost half of the total mobile internet traffic. Moreover, in the first quarter of 2024, around three-quarters of mobile phone web traffic originated from devices running on Android.
Looking forward, the three telecoms giants will have to continue to harness technological developments and offer innovative services to feed a population that wants to stay connected and maintain their leading spot on the Mexican mobile communications market.
América Móvil continues to reign over the mobile telephony segment
As of the end of 2023, there were approximately 143 million mobile phone lines active in Mexico. Telcel, owned by the Mexican giant América Móvil, is by far the largest player in this sector, providing services to almost 80 percent of mobile phone lines in the North American country in the same year. AT&T and Telefónica followed, both accounting for less than 10 percent of mobile phone lines.Regarding mobile internet, in 2024, Mexican telecom companies are expected to provide their services to nearly 74 million mobile internet users. The vast majority of users surf the internet on their smartphones, which account for almost half of the total mobile internet traffic. Moreover, in the first quarter of 2024, around three-quarters of mobile phone web traffic originated from devices running on Android.
5G on the rise
Mobile internet usage is strongly facilitated by the deployment of 5G across the Latin American country, with the number of 5G mobile connections in Mexico forecast to grow from 17 million in 2025 to 87 million by 2030. As the successor to 4G, 5G offers users lower latency, higher reliability, and better connection performance, and is expected to contribute greatly to digital transformation in Mexico. As of mid-2023, there were three 5G networks deployed in Mexico, owned by Telcel, Movistar, and AT&T.Looking forward, the three telecoms giants will have to continue to harness technological developments and offer innovative services to feed a population that wants to stay connected and maintain their leading spot on the Mexican mobile communications market.
