Introduction to the Proposal by CICM
The proposal by Ricardo Erazo García Cano, coordinator of the Financing Committee of the Mexican College of Civil Engineers (CICM), suggests developing fiber optic corridors along federal highways through private concessions. This initiative aims to generate income that can be invested in infrastructure, specifically for the maintenance of federal highways.
Inspiration from Successful Models in the United States
This proposal draws inspiration from successful models in the United States, where high-capacity fiber optic corridors are operated by private companies that cover all installation and maintenance costs while generating revenue streams.
Relevance in the Context of Bajio’s Growth
The relevance of this proposal increases with the growth of data centers in the Bajio region and western Mexico, which require high-capacity fiber optic connections beyond conventional network capabilities.
García Cano explained to El Economista: “We’re not talking about domestic connections of 100 or 200 megabits; these data centers need trunk corridors with massive transmission capacities, redundant links, and ultra-low latency that only dedicated, state-of-the-art fiber optic infrastructure can provide.”
Companies like Amazon and Mercado Libre are establishing distribution centers and data centers in the Bajio, particularly in Querétaro. This growth creates an urgent need for robust connectivity infrastructure, requiring immediate interconnection solutions both nationally and with the United States.
Financing Scheme for Fiber Optic Corridors
The financing model involves a concession scheme where the federal government, through the Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), grants rights to utilize spaces in the highway corridors to specialized developers. These private entities would install, operate, and commercialize the fiber optic infrastructure, paying an economic counterpart to the government that would specifically fund the federal highway maintenance program, creating a virtuous cycle of funding.
“There has already been a review of the business model, and it is initially planned for the corridor connecting the Bajio to northeast Mexico; however, it contemplates 15 trunk corridors, with five being the most viable for this type of business,” García Cano mentioned.
Additional Corridors
Another corridor connects the country’s center with large maquiladoras in Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua, and Saltillo, Coahuila. The western corridor covers that part of the country and extends to Sinaloa, where there is significant industrial demand for such connections.
Disruptive Models
García Cano clarified that this is just one of several financing alternatives that could be implemented, describing them as “disruptive but internationally proven solutions” that can turn Mexico’s highway infrastructure into a revenue-generating asset while addressing digital Mexico’s demands.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the proposal by CICM? The proposal suggests developing fiber optic corridors along federal highways through private concessions to generate income for infrastructure investment, specifically for federal highway maintenance.
- Why are fiber optic corridors necessary in the Bajio? The growth of data centers in the Bajio region requires high-capacity fiber optic connections beyond conventional network capabilities.
- How does the financing scheme work? The federal government grants rights to utilize highway corridors to private developers, who install, operate, and commercialize the fiber optic infrastructure. They pay an economic counterpart to the government, which funds federal highway maintenance.
- What are the planned corridors? There are 15 trunk corridors planned, with five being the most viable for this type of business, including connections between the Bajio and northeast Mexico.
- What are the disruptive models mentioned? These are innovative financing solutions, such as transforming Caminos y Puentes Federales (Capufe) into a competitive concessionaire, implementing a Tarifa por Uso de Infraestructura Carretera (TUIC), and developing new payment models for infrastructure services in the tourism sector.
