LAST YEAR MEXICAN lawmakers passed a measure that requires mobile phone operators to track and store details on all the users of their services: calls, voicemails and text messages.The new law required all those buying a new pre-pay mobile phone - - which most users have here, either through Telcel or Movistar -- - to provide official identification at the point of purchase. 

The law passed quicky February, 2009, becaue of concerns that unregistered cell phones were being used in all kinds of illicit activities. It also set a deadline: April 10, 2010 for all customers to register their cell number, even if they have been using it for years.

A national registry, known as RENAUT, “Registro Nacional de Usuarios de Telefonía Móvil” was created for this purpose.

It’s actually not that difficult to register, if you are a citizen or a resident alien with a CURP “Clave Unica de Registro de Poblacion”, Mexico’s equivalent of the social security number. All they have to do is go online to provide the information required, or send a text message using a special number to text their name, date of birth, and the state in which they were born.  The procedure takes a few minutes and, if successful, the system returns a text message confirming the registration.

Any cell phones not registered by April 10, 2010 will be automatically de-activated from the network. So if you are a foreigner, a visitor, retired or for any other reason, you don’t have a CURP, but do use a Mexican mobile phone, you cannot register online or by text message. 

Instead, you will have to visit one of your provider’s authorized customer service centers and present your passport as identification. You may have to show proof of residence and be fingerprinted.

The deadline is looming, so it you have a cell phone with a number you are attached to, get on this now!