As a result of the telecommunications constitutional reform of last year, the following new developments have taken place:

(i) On April 15, the new Federal Institute of Telecommunications (Institute) determined the minimum reference value and the bid security for the tender of two broadcast television channels with national coverage, in the amount of 64 million dollars and 32 million dollars, respectively. The clarifications meetings of the bid will start in mid June.

(ii) On April 28, the Mexican President presented the National Infrastructure Programme for the period 2014-2018 comprising six strategic sectors, including communications. According to such this programme, the Government will invest 12.8 billion dollars in the following projects in the telecommunications sector: Mexsat Satellite System; Mexico Connected (broadband in public places, schools, hospitals…); extension of the fiber optic backbone network of the Federal Electricity Commission, and the installation of the wholesale shared network in the 700 MHz band.

(iii) On April 29, the Institute resolved to extend the deadline from May 29th to November 26th for the analogical television switch off in Monterrey, Nuevo Laredo, Reynosa, Matamoros and Ciudad Juárez, since the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) transmissions were below 90 per cent  of the homes in such cities.

(iv) On May 7, the Institute approved the guidelines to allow current telecom and broadcasting concessionaires the provision of additional services, but will continue to be obliged to offer the services originally authorised. Once the new law is enacted, the Institute will issue the requirements to secure a unique concession for the provision of all services.

(v) On May 13, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation published the work programme for the DTT transition that it is expected to conclude at the end of 2015. Such a work programme considers the delivery of digital televisions to 13.8 million low-income households.