COFETEL (Comisión Federal de Telecomunicaciones) announced some changes when dialing cellular telephone numbers. These changes will took effect on November 4, 2006.

a) When dialing a Mexican cell number from the USA: 011 + 52 + 1 + area + number.
(Formerly you dialed 011 + 52 + area + number.)

b) When in México and dialing a cell number outside your area: 045 + area + number.
(Formerly you dialed 01 + area + number.)

c) When in México and dialing a cell number in your area: 044 + area + number.
(No change.)

In the past a Mexican cell phone could not recieve a long distance call if it didn't have "credit." Under the new system the person placing the call is supposed to be billed for all charges making it possible for cell phones without credit to receive long distance (including international) calls.

I've received a couple of reports about "glitches" in the new system. Hopefully they will be resolved quickly.