Mexico - Telecoms Infrastructure, Operators, Regulations - Statistics and Analyses

Synopsis

With a population of over 123 million and a fixed-line teledensity of above 18%, Mexico’s fixed-line telecom sector retains significant potential for growth. The market is still dominated by the incumbent Telmex and Grupo Televisa, which together control about two thirds of subscribers, while the mobile market is dominated by Telmex’s sister company Telcel, both being owned by América Móvil. The regulator determined that Telmex’s dominance warranted further regulation in certain sectors. A telecom reform law passed in mid-2013 set up a new regulator and has since enforced measures aimed at removing barriers to foreign investment and at reducing the market share of the dominant operators. These reforms will go far to making Mexico’s telecom market more competitive.

A report from the OECD published in early 2018 highlighted the beneficial effects for consumers which telecom sector reform has provided, particularly in reducing the cost of services. It also highlighted that in international terms there remains much to be done to improve the quality of services. Regulatory efforts are continuing to enforce the separation of América Móvil’s fixed-line and mobile businesses.

This report provides statistics and analyses on Mexico’s fixed-line market, as well as an overview of regulatory developments.

Key developments:

América Móvil ordered to continue separating its mobile and fixed businesses;
Telecomm-Telégrafos issues tender guidelines for contract to build a 25,000km wholesale access network;
Government introduces legislative changes for the telecom sector;
Mexsat Bicentenario satellite launches;
Report update includes the regulator’s market data report to March 2018, telcos’ financial and operating data to Q2 2018, market developments.

Companies mentioned in this report:

Telcel, Movistar, Iusacell, Teléfonos de México (Telmex), Axtel, Alestra, Maxcom, Marcatel, AT&T Mexico.

Table of Contents

1. Synopsis
2. Key statistics
3. Country overview
4. Telecommunications market
- 4.1 Historical overview
- 4.2 Market analysis
- 4.3 Telecoms reform
5. Regulatory environment
- 5.1 Regulatory authorities
- 5.2 Privatisation
- 5.3 Deregulation
- 5.4 Foreign investment rules
6. Fixed network operators
- 6.1 Introduction
- 6.2 Telmex/América Móvil
- 6.3 Megacable
- 6.4 Grupo Televisa
7. Telecommunications infrastructure
- 7.1 Overview of the national telecom network
- 7.2 National network infrastructure developments
8. Smart infrastructure
- 8.1 Smart grid technology
9. Related reports

Table 2 – Telecom sector employment – 2011 - 2018
Table 3 – Average fixed-line traffic per line– 2014 - 2017
Table 4 – Market share of fixed line traffic by operator – 2014 - 2016
Table 5 – Telecom sector contribution to GDP – 2004 - 2018
Table 6 – Share of telecom market revenue by sector – 2017- 2018
Table 7 – Telecom value to GDP and annual growth – 1998 - 2018
Table 8 – Fixed-line and mobile sector revenue – 2015 - 2018
Table 9 – Foreign investment in telecoms – 2009 - 2016
Table 10 – Market share of fixed lines by operator – 2014 - 2018
Table 11 – Telmex fixed-line RGUs – 2009 - 2018
Table 12 – Telmex fixed-line subscribers – 2015 - 2018
Table 13 – Telmex revenue, EBITDA – 2011 - 2018
Table 14 – Megacable revenue by sector – 2010 - 2018
Table 15 – Megacable fixed-line subscribers – 2012 - 2018
Table 16 – Megacable fixed-line ARPU – 2012 - 2018
Table 17 – Televisa telephony subscribers – 2016 – 2018
Table 18 – Historical - Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity – 1996 - 2009
Table 19 – Fixed lines in service, annual change and teledensity – 2010 - 2018