Monica Aspe, chief executive of AT&T Mexico, has urged the government to place limits on its telecom rival America Movil and keep it out of new markets to ensure fair competition, Mexican newspaper Reforma reported.
The warning by AT&T’s top executive in Mexico, comes days after Mexican regulators withheld a pay TV permit from America Movil amid complaints from rivals the move would enhance its dominance, news report from Reuters indicated.
Aspe said Mexican regulators needed to maintain an even playing field to keep companies such as AT&T in the country.
“Our wish is to be able to continue to grow in the country in the coming years. However, like the future of any global company, the presence in a particular market is periodically analysed,” Monica Aspe said in a statement.
America Movil dominates the Mexican telecom market, controlling 70 percent of mobile internet services and more than 62 percent of mobile phone services, according to data from Mexico’s regulator, the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT).
Controlled by the family of Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim, America Movil has been barred from entering the pay-TV market in its home country since the 1990s.
“We don’t ask for special privileges. We ask that America Movil is obliged to comply with regulatory and legal requirements… If that happens, we’ll continue to compete here,” Monica Aspe said.
The United States earlier raised competition concerns with Mexico about America Movil before the regulators convened to decide on whether to allow the firm into the pay-TV market.
America Movil’ entry into the pay television market could have a harmful cross-effect on the mobile market. That is worrying for the consumer, Monica Aspe said.
