Title: Mexico's telecommunications industry: the absence of industrial policy

Authors: Ricardo Arechavala; Claudia Díaz Pérez

Addresses: IDITpyme, Universidad de Guadalajara, Giosue Carducci 5621, Col. Jardines Vallarta, Zapopan, Jalisco, CP 45027, Mexico. ' Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Baja California 200, México, Distrito Federal, PC 06760, Mexico

Abstract: The paper outlines that the wireless Mexican industry is in an emergent stage, despite its high domestic market growth. Young institutions in their initial learning phases integrate the industry; it has small endogenous capabilities and faces huge technological uncertainties, the leading national companies are not manufacturers, being characterised by a highly concentrated market. The argument presents a description of the mobile telecommunication sector, the role of some of the central actors and particularly the main operator: TELMEX and its wireless subsidiary America Móvil. It also describes the history of the telecommunication sector because its evolution is intertwined with that of the wireless Mexican industry. Additionally, there is an analysis to explain how the opening, the liberalisation process and the public regulation inadequacy explain the industry development stage. Fieldwork was done through open-ended interviews and available statistical information.

Keywords: wireless technology; wireless communications; Mexico; telecommunications sector; public policy; regulations; technological capabilities; endogenous capabilities.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTG.2012.045297

International Journal of Technology and Globalisation, 2012 Vol.6 No.1/2, pp.87 - 108

Published online: 31 Oct 2014 *

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