Mexico’s telecoms regulator, IFT, and the telecommunications and transport ministry, SCT, have agreed on the terms and conditions for developing a state-owned mobile network by 2018, according to an official statement.
These terms include a project…
Mexico’s telecoms regulator, IFT, and the telecommunications and transport ministry, SCT, have agreed on the terms and conditions for developing a state-owned mobile network by 2018, according to an official statement.
These terms include a project timetable, although the regulator did not disclose the specific dates.
Six telecoms equipment manufacturers are carrying out field studies for the public-private partnership (PPP) which is aimed at loosening America Movil’s grip on the country’s telecoms market and will require an investment of US$10bn over the next ten years.
Last month, it was reported that telecoms equipment makers Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson had helped draft the proposal.
The World Bank’s International Finance Corp (IFC) is helping the consortium identify a strategic partner during the pre-bidding stage, a spokeswoman said at the time.
She added that IFC had also been mandated to scout for a lead arranger who will put together the financing package. IFC’s mandate would conclude once the government launches the bidding process.
“IFC’s engagement in this project is part of our strategy to support a competitive telecom sector in Mexico and to help expand access to affordable, high quality telecom services in the country,” the spokeswoman had said.
Earlier this year, local media named Alcatel Lucent, Cisco, Ericsson, Huawei and Intel among potential candidates to build the network.
China Development Bank and other Chinese state-owned banks were reportedly holding discussions with Mexico about financing the network.
However, critics of the project have reportedly warned that the initiative could dissuade operators from investing in their own networks.
