Mexican telecom industry to grow ten times by 2015

On the heels of the United Nations
declaring Internet access as a basic human right, latest reforms taken on by
the Calderon administration to deregulate optic fiber are expected to offer
Mexicans increased availability and access to communications in the 21st
century, according to Pyramid Research.

Investment in developing and
launching the new network is estimated to be $110 million. The Mexican optic
fiber market is expected to grow 10 times by 2015 and will be worth $3.6
billion.

By 2012, half of Mexico’s households
will have access to services provided by cable companies due to the latest
initiative to deregulate optic fiber, according to President Felipe Calderon.
 The announcement was made during the 2011 Expo of the National Chamber of
the Cable Telecommunications Industry (CANITEC), held in May.

“According to the results of a
census we conducted throughout the year, nearly 40 percent of Mexican homes
have access to cable television. This figure will most likely increase by next
year. I can assure you that by 2012, more than half of households in Mexico
will have access to the plethora of services cable companies offer,” said
President Calderon.

New optic fiber offerings, including
broadband internet, television, home and wireless phone, will begin in August
2011.  It is anticipated that this operation will benefit 10 million users
in Mexico.

The deregulation measure is part of
a series of consumer-centered initiatives led by the Calderon administration to
ensure fair competition, improve service and increase network growth in the
industry.  

Currently, telecommunications
services in many Mexican cities, like services in many countries around the
world, have traffic and coverage problems, resulting in dropped calls or an
inability to text message, while Internet and cable television services can suffer
service outages. These new offerings should significantly enhance the
reliability of the telecommunications services across the country.

Increased Internet access will be
available beyond the home and in classrooms to benefit schools in Mexico.

“We are currently working with
the Communications and Transportations Secretariat (SCT), as well as with state
governments to ensure the connectivity of schools around the country.  We
will also offer computer classes to students in every single school,”
President Calderon added.