Telecommunications regulators seek to modernize regulatory frameworks

Telecommunications regulators in Mexico and Puerto Rico are engaging with industry leaders to modernize regulatory frameworks and streamline infrastructure deployment.

In Mexico, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT), led by Norma Solano, is conducting dialogues with sector representatives to address barriers to investment. A key issue is the duplication of requirements across federal, state, and municipal authorities. Current diagnostics indicate that up to 20 different state and municipal procedures may be required for network deployment, with resolutions taking an average of 1.4 years. This regulatory complexity has been noted in discussions regarding trade barriers. Additionally, the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) recently ruled that authority over telecommunications infrastructure deployment procedures rests at the federal level.

In Puerto Rico, Osvaldo Soto García, president of the Telecommunications Bureau (NET), has called on the industry to participate in revising the island’s regulatory landscape. During the ICT Summit Puerto Rico 2026, Soto García emphasized the need to transition from outdated copper-era regulations to standards that support fiber optics, data centers, and smart networks. The sector in Puerto Rico currently supports over 4.7 million active voice lines and 4.3 million internet subscriptions.