Mexican court sends Telcel mobile registry cases to tech judges

The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) in Mexico decided on October 5, 2026, that all amparo lawsuits filed against the mandatory mobile phone registration rules must be handled exclusively by specialized courts. The ruling directly impacts América Móvil's subsidiary Telcel, as well as competitors AT&T and Movistar.

Resolving a contradiction of legal criteria numbered 111/2026, the court determined that traditional administrative courts lack the technical expertise needed for these cases. Jurisdiction will fall definitively to the District Courts in Administrative Matters Specialized in Economic Competition, Broadcasting and Telecommunications, which are based in Mexico City and hold nationwide jurisdiction.

The contested guidelines were originally published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on December 9, 2025. The justices explained that the rules affect free competition and dictate conditions for radio spectrum exploitation, interconnection, tariff management, concession models, and public network operations.

The court also emphasized that the regulation transfers a significant operational burden to telecom operators for security policy purposes. Companies must assume strict duties regarding the mass storage of private user data, the creation and maintenance of database platforms, and the legal consequences of implementing the registry.