America Movil wants US talks to settle pay TV licence dispute

Carlos Slim Domit

America Movil has said that it wants to meet with US officials over its planned entry into the Mexican pay TV market.

The operator, which offers Claro TV in markets including Brazil, wants to enter into its native Mexico with a pay TV offer but this has been met by resistance from US officials who are concerned with its impact on US players in the market like AT&T.

America Movil has argued that its plans to launch pay TV in Mexico would increase coverage, penetration and connectivity, with the company’s general counsel Alejandro Cantu calling it a “win-win for everyone” at a news conference. 

The company has said that its plans would see it commit US$387 million to fibre optic network expansion.

The spokesperson added that anybody who fears it would violate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement “does not have the complete information.”

Also speaking at the conference was Carlos Slim Domit, America Movil’s chairman and son of billionaire Carlos Slim Helú. He said: “We think there’s an opportunity to sit down with them and talk about all this.”