Previously, we recommended Unefon as the operator providing unlimited mobile Internet services in Mexico with the best price/quality ratio. However, as of 2021, Unefon no longer sells new SIM cards with unlimited Internet traffic, although old SIM cards can use unlimited mobile Internet. In fact, owners of old Unefon SIM cards are entitled to consume 30 GB of mobile traffic in 30 days at maximum speed and unlimited volume at reduced speed for just MXN 300 per month. Buyers of new SIM cards will not have this option; Unefon offers them 8.4 GB of traffic for 28 days for 150 MXN, 10.5 GB for 35 days for 200 MXN and 12.6 GB for 45 days for 300 MXN.
A holy place is never empty, and Unefon has a good alternative in the form of Bait SIM cards. Bait does not provide the same amount of traffic that Unefon used to provide, but it now has the best offer on the market. Both Bait and Unefon provide 4G LTE services, so check if your phone supports 4G before purchasing a SIM card. Below we will tell you how to do this.
In «unlimited» The Bait tariff offers 20 GB of mobile traffic for 30 days at a price of 200 MXN, and if you pay another 50 MXN, this traffic can be distributed with support for a wifi hotspot on your mobile device. Once these 20 GB are used up, Internet access will be possible at a reduced speed, and the amount of traffic is no longer limited. Typically reduced speed — this is 1 Mbps, which, however, is enough for browsing websites and sending text messages on social networks, but not enough, say, for making calls via WhatsApp or watching streaming videos. Complete termination of service will occur when the tariff expires — 30 days — will end and there will be no replenishment of the balance.
The minimum unlimited tariff is estimated at 50 MXN, it has 7.5 GB of traffic and 7 days of use. There is also a tariff for 100 MXN, which includes 10 GB of traffic and 20 days of use, and a tariff for 150 MXN — 5.5 GB for 30 days of use, there are other tariffs.
For clarity, we have collected all current Bait tariffs in one table.
| Price, MXN | Valid days | Internet traffic |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 1 | 100 MB |
| 20 | 3 | 500 MB |
| 30 | 3 | 2 GB at full speed + unlimited at low speed |
| 50 | 7 | 7.5 GB at full speed + unlimited at low speed |
| 100 | 20 | 10 GB full speed + 10 GB low speed |
| 150 | 30 | 5.5 GB |
| 200 | 30 | 20 GB at full speed + unlimited at low speed |
| 250 | 30 | 20 GB at full speed + unlimited at low speed + prospect of wifi distribution |
The maximum tariff for 250 pesos is good because it opens the way to distribute mobile Internet through a hotspot, but only on Android devices. You will buy one SIM card and use the Internet on two devices. However, then traffic at maximum speed can end twice as quickly.
Let us remind you that in Mexico the basic unit for tariffing mobile communication services is — namely mobile traffic, and not voice minutes, as we are used to. Bait offers unlimited calling within Mexico as well as the US and Canada. In other words, you can call from Mexico to any number in the US, talk as much as you like, and it won’t amount to anything. SMS is also free of charge.
Text traffic to the main social networks (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) and some instant messengers (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger) is also not charged in all packages. That is, you have the right to read and write messages on Facebook and even view photos in low resolution, and this will not affect your 20 GB. But as soon as you send a photo, recorded voice message, or start watching a video, that data will be deducted from your 20GB limit. However, Facebook itself will inform you that you are consuming paid mobile traffic and will even ask for permission to connect to such traffic. Almost all mobile operators in Mexico adhere to the same policy for charging traffic to social networks.
Bait— This is a virtual mobile operator, a joint project of the American retail chain Walmart and the company Rocketel, which provides services for connecting to the state fiber optic network (Red Compartida or Altán). Rocketel itself also acts as a virtual mobile operator. Altán today is the largest fiber optic network in Mexico, covering more than 50% of the population, or more than 66 million people. In May 2020, the coverage area covered more than 25 thousand cities with a population of less than 5,000 people and more than 20 thousand cities with a population of less than 250 people.
You can view the current coverage map of the virtual operator Bait on thispage(based on Altán data).
You can buy a Bait SIM card in all Walmart stores, including Superama, Bodega Aurrera and Sam's Club. You cannot buy a Bait SIM card at the airport, and there are no other sales points in the city yet. The SIM card costs nothing (more precisely, it will cost 0.05 MXN) and is activated when topped up with an amount of 10 MXN. For this money you get 100 MB of traffic for 1 day. Payment is allowed in cash or by credit card.
There is also a chance to buy a Bait SIM card online with free delivery to your address in Mexico. This offer applies to 3 packages:
- 100 MXN — when switching from another Mexican mobile operator, 20 GB of traffic for 30 days, of which 10 GB at full speed and 10 GB at reduced speed,
- 1050 MXN — with a validity period of 30 days and absolutely unlimited Internet, but without the chance to distribute it to other devices.
- 2000 MXN — with a validity period of 1 year and absolutely unlimited Internet, but without the ability to distribute it to other devices.
To buy a Bait SIM card online, you should write from a Mexican number and follow the instructions of the bot.
It is very important to check whether it will work in your phone before purchasing a SIM card. To do this, dial the combination *#06# on your phone and get the phone’s IMEI number.
Scan the QR code on the SIM card packaging or go to the addressmibait.com/compatibilidad.htmland insert your phone's IMEI into the input field. If your equipment is compatible with Bait, you will see a notification accordingly.
To make voice calls, you must download the Bait VozApp from the Play Store (not available in all localizations). Bait can work with Android phones and iPhones, but you won’t be able to distribute mobile Internet via iPhone. In some iPhone models, you won't be able to make voice calls beyond this.
The easiest way is to buy a SIM card and ask the seller to set up your phone. The number will be sent via SMS.
You can top up the balance of your Bait SIM card both in Walmart stores and with a card through the websiteBait. When registering on the site, a confirmation code will be sent via SMS, after which registration can continue. It is also possible to pay through a mobile application, if it is available for your state in the Play Store.
There are several options to check your balance:
- send an SMS with the word Saldo to number 52142,
- on the mobile operator's website — look for the option Consulta de Saldo or simply Saldo,
- Call the toll-free number 8002882488 and follow the answering machine prompts.
Bait— is a virtual operator, it does not have roaming in other countries. The Bait SIM card will not work outside of Mexico.