Mexico's government program to increase internet users and allows main projects in terms of connectivity in line with technological changes and new national realities.

1. Digital Connectivity
Program in Mexico

2. BACKGROUND
The President of Mexico, and the Coordinators of the main
political parties, sent jointly to the Lower House the Initiative for
Constitutional Reform in Telecommunications, which seeks the
strengthening of rights linked to freedom of expression and
information and the establishment of the right to access
information and communication technologies, and to broadcasting
and telecommunications services, including broadband.

3. Among other changes, the constitutional reform
amended Article 6 to make access to internet a
constitutional right:
(...)
The State shall guarantee the right of access to
information and communication technologies, as well
as broadcasting and telecommunications services,
including broadband and internet. For such effects,
the State shall establish conditions of effective
competition in the provision of such services.
(...)

4. Besides, the same article, in its Section B, subsection I, reads as
follows:
The State will guarantee the population its integration into the
Information and Knowledge Society, through a universal digital
inclusion policy with annual and six-year goals.

5. Three years after the adoption of the
telecommunications reform, the sector has changed
drastically and the indicators of access and use of
broadband have been improved at an accelerated
pace. Between 2012 and 2016 the number of mobile
broadband subscriptions tripled. In addition, between
January 2014 and October 2016, the prices of
telecommunications were reduced by 24.42%.

6. Given the scenario described before, the Mexican Government
presented in December 2016 the Digital Connectivity Program
(DCP), as part of its Universal Digital Inclusion Policy. The Program
allows main projects in terms of connectivity in line with
technological changes and new national realities.

7. While high growth in Internet penetration levels has been
observed in Mexico, and currently more than 57% of Mexicans are
Internet users, there is a delay if this situation is compared with
other OECD countries (78% on average), so there is a wide growth
margin for the coming years
PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

8. There is regional inequality in the indicators of access and use of
broadband and Internet among the federative entities.
AVERAGE OF HOMES WITH INTERNET CONECTION BY STATE

9. So, the DCP has two objectives:
• Objective 1. Access: that there is fixed and mobile
telecommunications infrastructure, with national coverage and
international standards of quality and availability.
• Objective 2. Affordability: that all people, regardless of income,
can access broadband
To achieve these objectives, the DCP comprises the following 10
projects:

10. 1. Transition Program to Digital Terrestrial Television.
Mexico was able to completely turn off analog TV signals
and became the first country on America to release in
record time, in its entirety the band of 700 Mhz to move
to the digital age.
Goal to 2018: Already finalized
THE 10 DCP PROJECTS

11. 2. Shared Network.
It will accelerate the availability and access to high
quality and affordable mobile broadband services
throughout the country.
Goal to 2018: 30% coverage for 4G services.
(Concludes 2024)

12. 3. Passive State Infrastructure.
Through these projects, Mexico’s Government will
make available to the operators, under conditions of
sharing, the buildings and rights of way that can be
used for the deployment of infrastructure.
Goal for 2018: 22 000 properties for rent.

13. 4. Trunk Network.
It promotes the construction of a high capacity data
transport network, under the responsibility of
Telecomunicaciones de México (Telecomm).
Goal for 2018: Dark Fiber illuminated with private
investment schemes.

14. 5. Mexican Satellite System (MEXSAT).
With the “Bicentenario” and “Morelos 3” satellites,
reliable satellite services are guaranteed for national
security agencies and for social coverage programs.
Goal for 2018: Start implementation of the backup
scheme for the Morelos 3 satellite.

15. 6. Satellite Policy of Mexico.
Mexico will consolidate its leadership in Latin America
in this sector by promoting investment, competition
and cooperation between public and private
institutions.
Goal for 2018: Implementation of Mexico's Satellite
Policy.

16. 7. México Conectado (Mexico Connected)
Internet in Public Places. It is the program to bring free
broadband Internet access in public spaces and other
places such as schools, health centers and libraries,
among many others.
Goal for 2018: Broadband in 120,000 public sites.

17. 8. Puntos México Conectado (Points of Mexico
Connected).
This project will enable people of all ages to develop
their digital skills, offer robotics courses to children and
young people, and will bring technological
entrepreneurship tools to the population.
Goal for 2018: 100,000 new Internet users.

18. 9. “Nicté”, which is the National Network for
Scientific, Technological and Educational Research.
It will allow the interconnection of Mexican institutions
of higher education and research with the world
knowledge community.
Goal for 2018: Start of implementation of the work
program for Nicté Network.

19. 10. National Radioelectric Spectrum Program.
It promotes the availability and efficient use of the
radioelectric spectrum, as a result of the joint work and
close coordination between the Ministry of
Communications and Transportation and the Federal
Institute of Telecommunications.
Goal for 2018: Implementation of the National
Radioelectric Spectrum Program.

20. The actions to achieve the 10 objectives of the DCP are the way to
achieve a better way integrated Mexico in the Knowledge Society,
where its less favored communities have equal opportunities to
enjoy the advantages of the Internet.
Internet Governance seeks to incorporate all its stakeholders in
the development and participation of the Network of Networks.
With the integration that seeks to achieve, the DCP can be a tool
to strength the multi-stakeholder model in Mexico.
FINAL COMMENTS