Introduction to the New Telecommunications Law in Mexico
On July 17, 2025, Mexico will begin operating under a new telecommunications and broadcasting law, promulgated by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo. This new legislation, the Ley en Materia de Telecomunicaciones y Radiodifusión (LMTR), replaces the Ley Federal de Telecomunicaciones y Radiodifusión (LFTR) that was enacted in 2013 during Enrique Peña Nieto’s presidency. The LFTR was part of Peña Nieto’s structural reforms aimed at stimulating the Mexican economy.
Background on the Current Situation
The LMTR was published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) on July 16, 2025. However, the transitional articles of the new law state that it will become effective on July 17, 2025. Meanwhile, the same transitional articles indicate that Peña Nieto’s telecommunications law will expire once the Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT) is fully established, but there is no publicly announced date for this event. The President of Mexico must first propose candidate profiles to the Senate, which adds uncertainty regarding when the CRT will be fully operational.
Impact on Telecommunications Sector
The telecommunications and broadcasting industries contribute 4% to Mexico’s GDP, generating $36 billion in revenue and supporting 309,000 jobs in 2024. With the new law, these sectors will be regulated by the CRT, ATDT, and CNA. The Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT) will gradually transfer its functions to these new entities.
Key Entities and Their Roles
- Agencia de Transformación Digital y Telecomunicaciones (ATDT): Will oversee some of the IFT’s responsibilities, focusing on digital transformation and telecommunications.
- Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT): Will take over some of the IFT’s regulatory functions, as decided by senators following the 2024 administrative simplification reform.
- Comisión Nacional Antimonopolio (CNA): Will receive certain IFT responsibilities, also determined by the senators’ 2024 reform.
IFT’s Transition and New Law Implications
The IFT, which has been the primary regulator for these sectors, will eventually cease to exist once the CRT is fully established. The IFT had around 1,200 employees and conducted operations aligned with the objectives of the Fourth Transformation until its last days. The IFT also recently granted additional radio concessions for indigenous, social, and Afro-Mexican stations, mirroring the expected actions of the ATDT.
New Law’s Promises and Changes
The LMTR, promulgated by President Claudia Sheinbaum, includes several key promises:
- Spectrum Auction for 5G Services: The new law anticipates a spectrum auction for 5G services, which is expected to take place this year, according to the ATDT.
- Affordable Spectrum for Social Coverage Operators: The law will enable operators providing social coverage to access affordable spectrum.
- Commercialization of Indigenous, Social, and Afro-Mexican Radio: The new law allows indigenous, social, and Afro-Mexican radio stations to commercialize content for sustainability.
- Government Participation as an Operator: The law permits the government to participate as an operator through Altán and CFE, even while serving as a regulator.
Key Questions and Answers
- Question: When does the new telecommunications law take effect?
- Answer: The new telecommunications law, the LMTR, takes effect on July 17, 2025.
- Question: What happens to the existing Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones (IFT)?
- Answer: The IFT will gradually transfer its functions to the Agencia de Transformación Digital y Telecomunicaciones (ATDT), Comisión Reguladora de Telecomunicaciones (CRT), and Comisión Nacional Antimonopolio (CNA) as the CRT becomes fully operational.
- Question: What are the key changes brought by the LMTR?
- Answer: The LMTR promises a 5G spectrum auction, affordable spectrum for social coverage operators, allows indigenous and Afro-Mexican radio stations to commercialize content, and permits government participation as an operator.
