José Antonio Peña Merino: From Claudia Sheinbaum’s Aide to Telecom Strongman
José Antonio Peña Merino, previously Claudia Sheinbaum’s digital policy advisor in Mexico City, is now the driving force behind telecommunications and broadcasting under Sheinbaum’s federal administration. These industries contribute 4% to Mexico’s GDP.
Merino acknowledges the complexities of the telecom market but is confident that the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (ATDT) can handle it. He emphasizes that Mexico is not accustomed to having an operational, effective, and swift regulator, but soon it will be.
Merino’s Success Metrics for ATDT
- Connect at least 12 million of the 16 million currently disconnected individuals to the internet by 2030.
- Ensure Mexico is not the country with the highest cost per megabyte among comparable nations.
- Promote fair and democratic access to the spectrum, encouraging more small operators and social, indigenous, community, and Afro-Mexican broadcasters.
New Legal Framework for Telecom Goals
Merino believes the new telecom legal framework can help achieve these goals through a discounted spectrum allocation mechanism, conditional on social coverage. He dismisses any advantages for Altán Redes, stating that the opportunity is attractive to Telcel or AT&T due to the 2.2 million people living within 4 km of telecom infrastructure in areas with over 500 residents.
Spectrum Essential for Telecom Services
Spectrum is crucial for providing fixed and mobile telecom services. More availability means less infrastructure density, which translates to significant cost savings for Mexico, holding 2,223 lots of various frequencies ready for auction through bidding for 5G or 4G-LTE expansion.
Mexico’s 5G Auction by 2025
Merino assures a 5G auction in Mexico by the end of 2025, drawing inspiration from Brazil’s successful auction experience. Despite this, he doesn’t consider lowering spectrum costs the primary factor for a successful auction like Brazil’s.
Preventing Regulatory Capture
Merino acknowledges the risk of regulatory capture but insists it won’t happen. He emphasizes that any evidence or indications of benefiting an individual or company will be met with firm action.
The ATDT will welcome CRT (Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones) members with relevant experience and no suspicion of wrongdoing, regardless of Sheinbaum’s selection process.
Zaira Pérez Salinas: First Female Director of Altán Redes
Merino denies closer ties between Altán Redes and ATDT, stating that Altán remains an app and will continue to do so. He praises Zaira Pérez Salinas’s qualifications, experience, and unique vision for public utility and service.
No Government Spying: Merino’s Assurance
José Antonio Peña Merino, head of the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications, asserts that the Sheinbaum administration does not spy on or censor citizens. Recent changes to security laws touch on telecommunications due to the need for operator collaboration with authorities.
Merino clarifies that only a court order allows authorities to intercept or geolocate mobile terminals like cell phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices in Mexico.
Geolocation is permitted only when authorized by a judge and not for any citizen. Merino emphasizes that individuals own their data, not the authorities, ensuring no privacy invasion.
The intention is to increase the chances of survival for individuals in emergencies. For example, if a minor goes missing, an alert about their bus ticket purchase can lead authorities to locate them, generating a life sign without causing any other conflicts.
