Sometimes the most meaningful progress comes from remembering those who might otherwise be forgotten. In rural communities across Mexico, a wonderful initiative is helping bridge the communication gap for residents who don't have access to modern digital technology—and it's completely free.

CFE Telecomunicaciones, a subsidiary of Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission, has successfully installed 848 public phone booths across the country, with a special focus on the states of Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. This isn't just about nostalgia—it's about ensuring that everyone, regardless of their economic situation or technological access, can stay connected with their loved ones.

The program targets communities with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants where connectivity remains limited or nonexistent. What makes this initiative truly special is its generosity: calls are completely free, and rural residents can even phone family members in the United States and Canada without paying a single peso. For families separated by borders, this represents a lifeline that keeps relationships strong and vibrant.

"We want to guarantee connectivity for the population that, due to the generational or digital divide, may have their communication with loved ones affected," CFE Telecomunicaciones explains. It's a recognition that while smartphones and internet access have transformed how many people communicate, not everyone has equal access to these technologies.

The phone booths themselves are refreshingly simple to use—just lift the handset, dial, talk, and hang up. No apps to download, no data plans to purchase, no complicated technology to navigate. This simplicity is precisely what makes them so valuable for elderly residents, those unfamiliar with smartphones, or anyone who simply needs to make an urgent call.

The program operates through collaborative agreements with municipal governments, creating a partnership model that helps ensure the booths are placed where they're needed most. After just one year of operation, the initiative has already brought communication access to hundreds of small communities that previously struggled to stay connected.

CFE Telecomunicaciones e Internet para Todos, created in 2019, is also working on broader connectivity solutions including installing public internet access points, building telecommunications towers, and offering affordable mobile and data plans. Some analysts envision these phone booths could eventually evolve into Wi-Fi hotspots, further expanding their value to remote communities.

While Mexico has seen mobile phone subscriptions grow dramatically over recent decades, the reality is that rural and economically disadvantaged communities often remain underserved. This initiative acknowledges that technological progress shouldn't leave anyone behind—that the fundamental human need to communicate with family and friends deserves to be protected and enabled.

For migrants working in the United States who want to call elderly parents back home, for grandparents wanting to hear their grandchildren's voices, for anyone facing an emergency who needs to reach help, these simple phone booths represent something profound: the promise that connection is a right, not a luxury, and that Mexico is committed to keeping its communities—and families—together.