Mexico is experiencing a digital transformation fueled by the rapid deployment of fiber-optic internet, significantly enhancing both download and upload speeds for consumers. This shift is particularly notable in major urban centers, where service providers are increasingly transitioning from legacy copper and coaxial infrastructure to Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) networks.
One of the clearest indicators of this advancement is the performance of fixed internet service providers (ISPs) like Totalplay, which recently introduced symmetrical speed plans — offering equal upload and download speeds. This marks a departure from traditional asymmetrical offerings, where upload speeds were significantly lower. The symmetrical model is especially beneficial for video conferencing, cloud usage, and content creation — key activities in today’s connected economy.
According to Speedtest Intelligence data from Ookla, median fixed download speeds in Mexico have more than tripled since 2021. Totalplay has emerged as a leader in this space, delivering download speeds that are over two-thirds faster than the combined average of all ISPs in the country as of 2025. Yet, it’s in upload performance where fiber’s advantages are most pronounced. Fiber’s capacity to deliver consistent, high-speed uplink connections is proving to be a game-changer, especially as user behavior shifts toward more interactive and real-time applications.
This surge in performance underscores the importance for consumers to stay informed about the underlying technologies behind their internet plans. As more ISPs upgrade to fiber and offer competitive symmetrical speed tiers, Mexican households and businesses are better equipped to participate fully in the digital world. Fiber is not just powering faster internet in Mexico — it is laying the foundation for long-term digital growth and equity.
Who’s investing in fiber
Telecom operators in Mexico are increasingly leveraging fiber-optic technology to transform the broadband customer experience, with major players accelerating fiber deployments and network upgrades to meet growing demand for high-speed, low-latency internet.
Totalplay marked a major shift in April 2025 by launching symmetrical speed plans, allowing customers to enjoy equally fast download and upload speeds — a key advantage of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks. Speedtest data shows a sharp increase in Totalplay’s median upload speeds following the launch, more than doubling from prior weeks. While real-world results may still vary due to user equipment or local conditions, the new plans significantly enhance service quality and position Totalplay as a leader in speed performance. The update also triggered a spike in testing activity, with new speed benchmarks becoming the norm.
Telmex, the nation’s largest ISP by subscriber count, was the first major provider to offer symmetrical speeds, beginning in January 2024. The company is building on its vast fiber network while simultaneously upgrading its legacy DSL infrastructure. While Telmex cannot offer pay TV services due to regulatory constraints, its early adoption of FTTH has allowed it to maintain a competitive edge in broadband delivery.
Megacable is undergoing a major transition, shifting from a hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) network to full fiber. As of Q1 2025, 77 percent of its subscriber base was on fiber, up from 67 percent a year earlier. This transition is reflected in steady improvements in upload performance, further strengthening its competitiveness in markets where it faces rivals like Telmex and Totalplay.
In contrast, izzi, which primarily relies on DOCSIS-based cable technology, faces technical limitations in matching the upload speeds of fiber-based services. Although its network passes nearly 20 million homes, only a fraction — just 12,500 households — are currently served via fiber, according to Grupo Televisa’s latest report.
Overall, fiber deployment is reshaping Mexico’s broadband landscape. Operators like Totalplay and Telmex are capitalizing on their FTTH infrastructure to offer superior performance, while others are racing to catch up. As symmetrical speeds become a new benchmark for service quality, fiber is proving to be the key differentiator in delivering the next generation of broadband experiences to Mexican consumers.
Baburajan Kizhakedath