With the new Mexican government in the closing stages of implementing reforms in the education sector, Dow Jones Newswires has suggested the state will now turn its eyes to the telecoms sector with a view to boosting competition. The report cites comments made by finance minister Luis Videgaray at an event in Cancun last week, in which he noted that the state will seek to both increase competition and lower costs to consumers. Among the proposals set out to help achieve such aims is the introduction of special courts which will be tasked with handling disputes in the telecoms sector, while telecoms watchdog Comision Federal de Telecomunicaciones’ (Cofetel’s) powers are also expected to be strengthened.
Despite a number of unsuccessful attempts over the years to improve competition, the report claims that government officials are more confident of achieving this goal as a result of the Pact for Mexico, a deal between the country’s three major political parties. The deal, completed in December 2012, outlines 95 mutual commitments, including the reform of education and social security, as well as the telecoms and oil sectors.