jueves, junio 24, 2010

Hector Osuna to exit Cofetel

Will pursue political interests when term ends later this month

John Hecht / THR


Hector Osuna, head commissioner of Mexico's telecom regulator Cofetel, is calling it quits.

Appointed by former President Vicente Fox four years ago, Osuna announced on Wednesday that he will pursue political interests rather than seek re-election when his term ends later this month. President Felipe Calderon will appoint a new commissioner shortly.

Osuna's successor has his work cut out for him. When Calderon took office in 2006, he vowed to make Mexico's highly concentrated telecom industry more competitive. Though some strides have been made to level the playing field, such as the recent auction of a government-owned fiber optic network, telecom giant Telmex continues to dominate the market. Telmex is owned by Carlos Slim, who tops the Forbes list as the richest man in the world.

Cofetel also has been criticized for its lack of media oversight; two broadcasters, Televisa and TV Azteca, control the national airwaves here and there are no signs that a third player will crack the market anytime soon.

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