2013 Mexico - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts

Telecom reform package heralds new wave of investment

BuddeComm’s annual publication, Mexico - Telecoms, IP Networks, Digital Media and Forecasts, provides a comprehensive overview of the trends and developments in the telecommunications and digital media sectors of one of Latin America’s largest markets. The report includes the regulator’s market data to February 2013, telcos’ financial and operating data to Q1 2013 and market developments to May 2013.

Telecom market overview

Mexico’s economy swiftly recovered from the downturn in 2008, with the OECD predicting that GDP would grow 3.8% in 2013, following similar growth since 2010. Growth in the telecoms market has long outpaced broader economic growth, primarily driven by the mobile and broadband sectors, as well as broadcasting. Growth remains strong compared with many other global markets, particularly those in Europe. A telecom aimed at reforming the telecom sector will set up a new regulator with a wider remit and empowered to impose fines, control pricing, and put a break on an appeals process which has hitherto obstructed the effectiveness of its resolutions. The bill would also update the country’s long-standing law limiting foreign investment in national telcos, and would force phone and TV providers to sell assets if they control more than 50% of the national market share.

Mobile market

LTE services have been launched by two of MNOs, following considerable investments in network upgrades. Telcel’s network already covers about 65% of the population. This is complemented by Telefónica’s service, using the 700MHz band. Both operators will also utilise 2.6GHz spectrum which the government plans to auction later in the year. These developments will further encourage the rapid development of the mobile data sector, which is accounting for an increasing share of overall mobile services revenue for operators.

Key telecom parameters – 2010; 2013

(Source: BuddeComm) 

Market Highlights

• Telcel’s LTE network covers some 26 major cities, reaching about 65% of the population. The operator is investing US$3.95 billion to 2014 in network upgrades, including at least US$1 billion in equipment for LTE alone.
• The electricity regulator CRE is looking to modernise the country’s existing grid with smart grids, thereby reducing the high power loss in transmission. The smart grid plan should be completed by late 2013, and will spearhead the multi-billion dollar investment in smart grid infrastructure required.
• Telmex retains a dominant market share of fixed lines, given that the vast majority of communities are unprofitable for other operators to build competing networks. The regulator has encouraged competition where viable, in 2013 fining the company MXN657 million for failing to provide interconnection services on inter-city routes.
• The government’s long-standing law limiting foreign investment in national companies is being addressed by the telecom reform package, which will allow foreign investors to own more than 49% of telcos’ shares.
• The telco Alestra is investing MXN1.2 billion in a fibre network to meet consumer demand for converged services. More than half of the funding is being spent on infrastructure projects. The fibre-optic network will be extended to about 17,000km across the country, covering some 50 cities.
• In late 2012 the Ministry of Communications and Transport contracted HNS to deliver an 11,000-site solar-powered broadband satellite network providing national coverage and aimed at areas underserved by existing fixed-line and mobile networks. The network, completed in early 2013, is centered on anchor site such as schools, hospitals, government offices, community centres across all 32 states.

This report is essential reading for those needing high level strategic information and objective analysis on the telecom sector in Mexico. It provides further information on:

• Market liberalisation and regulatory issues;
• The impact of the global economic crisis;
• Telecoms operators – privatisation, acquisitions, new licences;
• Mobile data market developments in coming years in light of spectrum auctions and new license awards;
• 3G developments, regulatory issues and technologies including HSPA and LTE;
• Broadband migration to an FttH architecture;
• Historical and current subscriber statistics and forecasts;
• ARPU statistics and forecasts.

Data in this report is the latest available at the time of preparation and may not be for the current year.