Mexico's Telecom Reform: A Discussion

June 25, 2013

Registration: 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Panel Presentation and Discussion: 5...

AS/COA

680 Park Avenue

New York

Live broadcast

Overview

On June 10, President Enrique Peña Nieto <a href="http://www.presidencia.gob.mx/multimedia/presidente-pena-nieto-firmo-la-reforma-en-materia-de-telecomunicaciones-y-competencia-economica/">signed into law Mexico’s telecommunications reform</a>, another in a series of wide-ranging structural reforms promised by the Pact for Mexico. The reform seeks to raise competitiveness in the sector—opening it up to greater foreign investment and smaller industry players—and to give Mexicans access to better and cheaper telecom services. A new regulatory body with expanded powers will have the ability to break up monopolistic sector concentrations. According to an Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report, a lack of competition in Mexico's telecommunications sector cost the country an estimated $129.2 billion, or 1.8 percent of GDP a year, from 2005 to 2009. Though Mexico may be the eighth largest nation in the OECD, it ranked last in fixed telephone lines per 100 inhabitants and thirty-third out of 34 countries in mobile subscribers per 100 inhabitants. Americas Society/Council of the Americas held a panel discussion on Mexico’s telecommunications reform. The event brought together experts from different sectors to discuss the goals and expected results of the reform. Panelists:* <ul> <li>Francisco Gil Díaz, Executive President, Telefónica México</li> <li>Jonathan H. Herbst, Managing Director and Senior Member, Global Media & Communications Group, UBS</li> <li>Ruben Kraiem, Partner, Covington & Burling LLP (Moderator)</li> <li>Gustavo I. López, Vice President & Regional Counsel, Discovery Latin America/US Hispanic</li> </ul> *Additional panelists to be confirmed Event Information: Andres Sada | <a href="mailto:asada@as-coa.org">asada@as-coa.org</a> | 1-212-277-8369 COA Corporate Membership Information: Monica Vieira | <a href="mailto:mvieira@as-coa.org">mvieira@as-coa.org</a> | 1-212-277-8344 Press Inquiries: Adriana La Rotta | <a href="mailto:alarotta@as-coa.org">alarotta@as-coa.org</a> | 1-212-8384

Speakers

Francisco Gil Díaz

President, Telefónica-México

Francisco Gil Díaz is the president of Telefónica-México. Before becoming president in 2007, Mr. Gil Díaz served as the secretary of finance under President Vicente Fox. Previously, he worked as CEO of Avantel as well as as undersecretary of finance and then as a member of the...

Jonathan H. Herbst

Managing Director, Global Media & Communications Group, UBS

Jonathan H. Herbst is managing director and senior member of UBS’ Global Media & Communications Group. He is also the co-head of the firm’s Chicago office and Midwest Region. During his tenure at UBS, Mr. Herbst has participated in a wide range of strategic advisory and financing...

Rubén Kraiem

Partner, Covington & Burling LLP

Rubén Kraiem is a corporate partner at Covington & Burling LLP. He is also a trustee and chair of the legal committee of the board of trustees of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Before joining Covington & Burling LLP, Kraiem was a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton &...

Gustavo López

Vice President, Discovery Networks Latin America

Gustavo López is the vice-president and legal and regional counsel of Discovery Networks Latin America/US Hispanic and chairman of the legal committee of the Latin America Multichannel Advertising Counsel. He also serves on the boards of directors of the Boys and Girls Clubs of...

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Mexico's Telecom Reform: A Discussion

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Overview

Speakers