After completing trials in Q3 2017, AT&T has now launched its LTE-M network in Mexico.
Also known as category M1 (Cat-M1), LTE-M stands alongside NB-IoT and EC GSM IoT as one of the three low power wide area technologies licensed by 3GPP.
Having deployed LTE-M nationwide in the US, AT&T said in mid-2017 that it was aiming to bring the low-power IoT technology to Mexico by the end of the year, adding that it aimed to unite its US and Mexican networks to deliver LTE-M to 400 million people.
Shortly thereafter, the operator conducted pilots in Tijuana and Puebla, as well as conducting what it termed “the world’s first international data session on LTE-M” between the US and Mexico. The operator noted that its Mexican LTE-M network will offer services such as asset management, security systems and smart city technologies.
AT&T entered Mexico in 2015 by acquiring two smaller Mexican operators – Nextel and Iusacell. Since then, it has worked to establish itself as a rival to America Movil and Telefonica, the two largest operators in the market. The operator stated its goal of offering wireless coverage to 100 million customers by end-2018, and pledged that it would invest $3 billion in achieving this.
