Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones

The IFT Plenary decides over 65 processes in telecommunications and broadcasting matters

• Issues a favorable opinion so Telcordia may be the Database Administrator for numeral portability purposes
• Decided to grant the permit certificate to use a State of Chiapas indigenous radio station for cultural purposes
• It approves the granting of four new concession certificates and an equal number of extension of concessions to install, operate and exploit a public telecommunications network in different locations of the country
• It decides on the issuance of 24 concession sound radio stations certificates, subject to approval

In an ordinary session, the Federal Telecommunications Institute (Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones, IFT) Plenary, decided over different telecommunications and radio matters, amongst which we highlight the granting of concessions for public fixed telecommunications networks, the extensions of concession certificates and the approval of operations of different radio stations, inter alia.

In sum, approximately 65 processes were processed, whereby the IFT provides legal certainty so that concessionaires may be able to plan their operations, guarantees the continuity of the services in different locations and promotes the participation of a bigger number of providers in the markets, for the users benefit.

Amongst the matters discussed, the Plenary issued a favorable opinion on the decision reached by general consent in the Technical Committee of Number Portability, so that Telcordia continues as the Database Administrator for the number portability process. This company has provided this service since July of 2008, when the right for the users to change of operator became effective, all the while keeping their same telephone number. The first agreement will conclude in July of the current year, and in this month it will renew for a period of three years.

Likewise, the Plenary was informed about five requests to extend the concession certificates of public telecommunications networks that offer television services by subscription in different locations in the country, and decided to reject them since they do not fulfill the applicable legal requirements. The information on the operators and the geographic zone where they provide their services will be published in due course on the IFT Internet page, so the users may adopt the pertinent measures.

In addition, it was decided to grant extensions to four concession certificates to install, operate and exploit a public telecommunications network with coverage in different locations of the country for a 10 years term.

Likewise, the Institute decided to grant four concession certificates to install, operate and exploit a public telecommunications network with coverage in different cities of the country.

In broadcasting matters, the Plenary also decided to grant a permit certificate to use an FM radio frequency to be used in cultural purposes to provide sound broadcasting services in favor of Comunicación Educativa y Cultural BAT´S IL K´OP, A.C in Bachajón, municipality of Chilón, Chiapas.

From the analysis conducted to the request, the IFT Plenary considers that it was submitted and formed according to the requirements set forth in Articles 17–E and 20 of the Federal Law of Radio and Television, and other applicable legal provisions.

As part of the justification of the project of decision, it was considered that in the location of Bachajón no radio or television stations with permits or concessions have been installed, and thus, by granting the permit certificate, the applicant may establish a mean that allows the integration of the communities through the construction and communication lines extension. Furthermore, the applicant states as a purpose, to establish a communication process that could be used as platform to hold talks, share needs and strengthen the indigenous culture in the zone, which has 118 thousand 180 inhabitants, of which 95.3 percent are in circumstances of poverty.

According to the information provided by the selfsame applicant, 86% of the population speaks an indigenous language and 46% does not speak Spanish, and thus, it is deemed that it fulfills one of the purposes submitted in the project, consisting in aiding or assisting the vulnerable sectors of indigenous communities of the northern forest region of the State of Chiapas.

Through its programming, the radio station will procure to provide a communication and information service significant for the region, in terms of the Tzeltal indigenous communities, which implies to generate contents that actually represent the cultural identity through an indigenous worldview.

In the session held today, the Plenary decided to issue 24 concession certificates subject to being approved to exploit radio frequency stations: