\tLIVE FROM MOBILE 360 LATIN AMERICA, MEXICO CITY: Representatives from the Mexico divisions of AT&T and America Movil were at loggerheads over the main issues holding back the market, but both agreed the country’s authorities had to take action.<\/p>\n
The panel session, designed to discuss the roadblocks for 5G across Latin America, was dominated by discussion on the market in Mexico, with all three of the country\u2019s operators and the regulator represented.<\/p>\n
Even with the regulator present, it was two of the operator representatives who clashed over the dynamics of the market.<\/p>\n
During her opening gambit, AT&T VP regulatory affairs Monica Aspe (pictured) argued the connectivity bottleneck in the country was being caused by a lack of \u201caffordable access\u201d to fibre, much of which is owned by a division of America Movil.<\/p>\n
She added although spectrum was expensive it was now available, leaving the fibre problem the primary issue.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe reality is, it\u2019s an anticompetitive situation\u201d she stated, highlighting a need to share fibre to avoid companies spending money on connecting areas where infrastructure already exists at the cost of being able to invest elsewhere.<\/p>\n
General counsel and chief regulatory officer of America Movil Alejandro Cantu Jimenez (pictured below, right) argued although regulation required modernising, in Mexico competitiveness was not an issue. He added consumers do not go into a store and ask about market share. [1]\n
Referring to comments on investment in Mexico, he added: \u201cMy message to the AT&T CEO would be to put his money where his mouth is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in the session, Telefonica Mexico regulation director Ana de Saracho argued regulators were faced with unfair tax burdens.<\/p>\n
Commissioner of Mexican regulator IFT Javier Ju\u00e1rez Mojica (pictured above, left) emphasised regulators and operators were \u201con the same side of the table\u201d in wanting to create an enabling environment for connectivity technology.<\/p>\n[1] https:\/\/www.mobileworldlive.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/MWL_other_panellists.jpg<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
LIVE FROM MOBILE 360 LATIN AMERICA, MEXICO CITY: Representatives from the Mexico divisions of AT&T …<\/p>\n
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