World Dialogue on Regulation

According to a report by El Economista, the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation (SCT) is taking a number of steps to improve Mexico’s ICT sector.

Some of the recent moves by SCT include: plans to expand the calling party pays system for mobile telephony; attempting to increase the fixed subscriber base to 25 million as of 2006, from the current 17 million lines; increasing computer penetration – currently only 8%; increasing the number of Internet users, and; allowing cable television companies to begin offering telephony services via third parties using their cable infrastructure.

Jorge Arredondo, president of Cofetel, the federal telecommunications commission, believes the lack of regulation for IP telephony will result in many IP telephony operators and reduced income for traditional telephone service providers, creating a new business environment. Although not wanting to heavily regulate IP telephony providers, Cofetel still requires these companies to have a concession. Cofetel recently closed down 13 IP telephony companies that did not have a concession, and is pursuing other informal operators.

Intelecon Research & Consultancy Ltd. 16/11/2004