Mexico’s government has introduced a major telecommunications reform bill. According to president Enrique Pena Nieto, the project aims to ensure universal coverage of television, radio, telephony, data services, at fair rates, and to confirm the quality of services and content.
The bill is based on three pillars: the expansion of the rights of Mexican citizens for access to ICT and broadband services, a new institutional architecture to support economic competition and legal security, as well as specific measures to boost competition in the telecoms sector.
The bill establishes that a dominant player may be subject to sanctions including forced asset disposals. The bill also aims to reduce the operator’s ability to suspend legal rulings against them while they appeal decisions.
The reform seeks to increase competition in the TV market, by auctioning rights to run two new television channels. The tenders would now be open to Mexico’s two largest broadcasters, Televisa and TV Azteca.
The bill also sets up a new telecoms regulator, the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT), as well as specialized courts for settling competition disputes.
The Constitutional Telecommunications Reform Bill has been submitted to the Lower Chamber, and the Coordinators of the PRI, PAN, PRD and Green Ecologist Party Deputies.
