AT&T announces the newly added feature to its World Connect Value package. Current subscribers can now make unlimited calls from the U.S. to any phone numbers in Mexico which include both landline and mobile numbers at no extra cost. The feature is also open to potential customers who would like to take advantage of the carrier's updated international calling package.
The announcement came days following the carrier's acquisition of Iusacell, the third largest wireless provider in Mexico that formerly belonged to Grupo Salinas. Talks about the acquisition was revealed on Nov. 7, 2014. One of the significant gains in the acquisition is that AT&T would also get hold of Iusacell's 8.6 million subscribers.
Last year, AT&T launched its Mobile Share Value package that allows users to perform unlimited texting as well as image and video messaging in a global scale. With the enhanced World Connect Value package, customers of Mobile Share Value can also enjoy huge savings in the package's unlimited calling to Mexico.
"We're always looking for opportunities to show our appreciation to our customers," said Chief Marketing Officer David Christopher of AT&T Mobility. "Mexico is the most frequently dialed country among our wireless customers - and now they can call as much as they want with our enhanced World Connect Value package."
AT&T's World Connect Value package charges users with the monthly rate of $5. Apart from the enhanced unlimited calling feature to Mexico, the package also offers cheap calling charges with calls made from the U.S. to more than 225 countries.
In December, AT&T revised the rates of its World Connect Value package by increasing it between 5 cents to 20 cents a minute for calls made to the Caribbean and Latin American countries. The increase will begin to take effect on Feb. 1. Calls made to Canada which charge users at 1 cent per minute remain unchanged.
Currently, Iusacell's cellular services reach around 90 percent of the total population of Mexico which is said to be more than 120 million. In early 2005, the company received more licenses that allowed it to cover more regions in the country. Almost 70 percent of its subscribers are on prepaid service.
AT&T's acquisition of the Mexican wireless company had caused the carrier to spend $2.5 billion which includes $800 million in debt.
"Our acquisition of Iusacell is a direct result of the reforms put in place by President Pena Nieto to encourage more competition and more investment in Mexico," said AT&T Chief Executive Officer Randall Stephenson. "Those reforms together with the country's strong economic outlook, growing population and growing middle class make Mexico an attractive place to invest."
