Enrique-Peña-Nieto
Enrique Peña Nieto signed the 'Ley Telecom' into law.

President Enrique Peña Nieto has defened Mexico's new telecom bill at its signing yesterday, saying that the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Act only seeks to improve the welfare of Mexicans and increase the freedom of expression in the media, including the Internet. In enacting the legislation, he explained that it is based on four guiding principles: the Internet being available to more Mexicans, more effective telephone service and accessibility to the public as as well as increased competition in radio and television. Read the full speech below:

In exercising the powers vested in me by the Constitution of the United States of Mexico, in a moment, I sign the Federal Telecommunications Act and Broadcasting Act, the Public Broadcasting System of the Mexican state; and other reforms and additions into law. These systems form the High Constitutional Reform Legislation on Telecommunications, agreed upon last year year in the constitutional order with the wide support of the Mexican people.

By adhering strictly to the provisions of the amendment to our Constitution, these regulatory laws maintain the scope and audacity of constitutional change, making tangible benefits. I recognize, in the highest fashion, members of the Sixty-second Legislature of the Congress of the Union, for having adopted this great transformative reform.Both members of the Senate and House of Representatives, lawmakers of both Houses that make up the Congress, for the large majority that supported this reform and all its secondary legislation, I give you my appreciation and gratitude on behalf of all Mexicans .

I congratulate you, because thanks to your maturity and civility, our policies continue to demonstrate that democracy itself can move and transform Mexico. Overall, the Telecommunications Reform and Secondary Laws are a powerful tool to enhance freedom, equality and strengthen and increase the prosperity of Mexicans.

It increases freedom because it ensures free speech and the expression of ideas in all electronic media, including the internet. It strengthens equality, because children and youths of the country have the same opportunities for access to information technology and communications as those living in cities, while we are also breaking down barriers of access for persons with disabilities .

The Telecommunications Reform also increases prosperity, because it encourages competition, productivity and innovation; it reduces operating costs of companies in all sizes; micro, small, medium, and large companies and, most importantly, generates savings for Mexican families. The advantages of this reform are many and very positive. Its guiding principle is the welfare of consumers.

Let me share some of them.

First. In terms of Internet technology, it makes information more accessible to more Mexicans, and ensures freedom of expression in them.

It requires the State to provide free Internet to at least 250 thousand public places in the country, mainly in schools, libraries, hospitals and public places.

The reform also has to take steps so that 70 percent of households and 85 percent of micro, small and medium enterprises, which are the major generators of employment in our country, have Internet.

To measure this, today's coverage in households is only 30.7 percent. This means more than doubling our coverage for Mexican households.

The law prevents any reform to the Internet or social networks, and ensures net neutrality; ie users will have access with full freedom and without discrimination to any application, content or service.

Also, the quality and speed of internet will improve for the benefit of all users, according to the guidelines that will be defined by the Federal Institute of Telecommunications.

Second. In telephony, effective measures for encouraging competition, to reduce costs and increase the service quality will be implemented.

As of January 1, 2015, there will be no charge for domestic long distance calls. Families can call from anywhere, like Quintana Roo, Baja California, or anywhere else in the country without paying long distance rates, as if it were a local call.

This represents a saving of approximately 19 thousand 600 million pesos a year, which will contribute to greater integration of families and competitiveness, for both small business and large companies in the country.

Also, all cell phone users can make and receive calls anywhere in the country, no matter what company is providing the service.

The balances of prepaid cell phone will be valid for one year and not days or months, as at present. And besides, balance inquiry will be free.

Meanwhile, those who have a rate plan, obtain receipts that clearly detail each payment have the option to pay per minute or even second.

Users of different telecommunications services may cancel your service if operators change the conditions of the contract or to enforce the terms agreed.

When users so decide, they will have the freedom to keep their phone number when changing company.

All rights under the law shall be made known to users in writing or through electronic means, to hire the service.

Third item. In broadcasting competition, innovation and a greater diversity of programming is promoted, as there will be more TV channels and new channels.

The amendment allows two new commercial television stations that are in the bidding process before the Federal Institute of Telecommunications, to compete on equal terms, expanding the content offering.

To make more quality content a new public television called Broadcasting System of the Mexican state will be created to promote gender equality and the rights of children.

In turn, the pay-TV subscribers receive all broadcast television channels at no extra cost; likewise prohibits hiring exclusively by some television, content, programs or events of wide interest to viewers.

The reform also states that the transition from analogue to digital, ie a higher quality signal, will be no later than December 31, 2015, ensuring access for poor families to better technology.

And a fourth point of the reform are the specific benefits for users with disabilities. These are important steps towards social inclusion.

Telecom companies must provide special equipment functions, programs or applications that allow them to access and use the services contracted.

The television coverage in more than half the country will have a maximum of 36 months to include Mexican Sign Language or hidden captioning to transmit programming from six in the morning until midnight.

Given the above, the reform confirms the importance of telecommunications as a public service of general interest and reaffirms the rectory of the Mexican State in the sector.

In addition, the appeals mechanisms are reduced and the suspension of the resolutions issued by the Federal Institute of Telecommunications are not allowed. This means that regulatory measures will have immediate application and years of litigation are avoided.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Throughout this administration, together with the Legislature, we have driven major reforms in educational, financial, economic competition, Inland Revenue, energy and telecommunications, among others.

All with the purpose of providing benefits to Mexican families and raising the country's competitiveness, to attract investment and create more and better jobs.

Gradually, Mexicans may perceive in everyday life the benefits of the reforms.

In the case of the Telecommunications Reform, this promotes more competition, and better conditions, higher coverage and quality of services; as well as lower fees and costs. All in favor of users.

This reform, again, strengthens the freedom of Mexicans to secure the right to express, inform and interact in electronic media and social networking.

This reform also promotes greater opportunities for Mexico, to ensure digital inclusion, integration of our regions and access for people with disabilities to telecommunications.

This reform will boost the prosperity of the country, because it will provide more competitive businesses and companies; will attract major investment to the sector. And most importantly, support the economy of Mexican families.

With this, and other structural reforms, Mexico is on the path of transformation, generating benefits and savings for families, as well as new opportunities for economic growth and development for the whole country.

Thanks to each and everyone - this act is undoubtedly a milestone in the history of our country.

© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.