Background and Relevance of Zaira Pérez
Zaira Yvette Pérez Salinas, a lawyer and technology expert, has been appointed as the new CEO of Altán Redes, a public-private telecommunications company in Mexico. With an annual revenue of approximately 9,000 million pesos and serving 20 million mobile users indirectly through its 4.5G cellular network, Altán Redes is a significant player in Mexico’s telecom sector.
Pérez Salinas brings extensive experience to her new role, having worked in the Mexico City government during the previous administration alongside now-President Claudia Sheinbaum. Her professional background includes degrees from the UNAM, Eastern New Mexico University, and Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. She has also held positions at Blerify, IDtech, Omnicloud, Idemia, and Alanís, Serrano y Doblado Abogados.
Transition from Promtel to Altán Redes
Pérez Salinas moves from the Organismo Promotor de Inversiones en Telecomunicaciones (Promtel) to Altán Redes. The exact successor for Pérez Salinas at Promtel remains unclear, as the organization holds the concession for the 700 MHz spectrum that Altán uses for its cellular operations. This spectrum is expected to become another government desk, according to industry speculation.
Challenges and Opportunities for Zaira Pérez
Pérez Salinas faces several challenges in her new role. Financially, she must surpass the 9,151.8 million pesos (approximately 490 million USD) that Carlos Lerma’s administration raised for Altán in 2024. However, the Mexican economy’s outlook for 2025 is less favorable, with a projected GDP growth of only 0.1%.
Altán must generate profits to repay state-facilitated loans and secure a financial margin to purchase spectrum for 5G services. The current administration has pledged to allocate commercial telecom spectrum to state-owned operators under criteria that also apply to private entities. In Altán, the state holds the majority of shares.
Pérez Salinas will also focus on acquiring new clients and expanding Altán’s market presence. Her tenure will be crucial in transitioning Altán to a new phase of development through the mobile market. During her leadership, Altán may seek permission to offer retail services, which have been a persistent request.
Altán aims to enter the retail market using the 2.5 GHz band, which requires a nationwide frequency package and coverage over Mexico’s most lucrative markets. The company also considers utilizing the 50 MHz bandwidth available in the 3.5 GHz spectrum, currently managed by an office within the Secretaría de Infraestructura, Comunicaciones y Transportes (SICT).
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Zaira Pérez Salinas? Zaira Yvette Pérez Salinas is a lawyer and technology expert with extensive experience in Mexico’s telecom sector, including roles in the Mexico City government and various companies.
- What are Altán Redes’ financial targets? Pérez Salinas must surpass the 9,151.8 million pesos (approximately 490 million USD) raised by Carlos Lerma’s administration in 2024, despite a challenging economic outlook for 2025.
- What spectrum-related challenges does Altán face? Altán must navigate difficulties in acquiring spectrum for 5G services under new criteria that apply equally to state-owned and private entities.
- What are Altán’s market expansion plans? Pérez Salinas will focus on acquiring new clients and potentially entering the retail market, which has been a persistent request during her tenure.
- What are Altán’s spectrum utilization strategies? Altán considers using the 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands for expanded market presence and 5G services.
