August marked big changes to Mexican telecommunication services, beginning with the end of Telefonos de Mexico's (TelMex's) 48 year monopoly on long distance telephone service in Mexico. The changes are due to new legislation that deregulates the industry. Consumers and businesses will now have three options for long distance service: TelMex, Avantel and Alestra. The two new companies were formed with investment by MCI and Banamex (Avantel) and by AT&T (Alestra). Full competition, expected to begin in January 1997, should bring lower rates and better service.
The Avantel company, whose main offices are in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, will be the first to offer competing long distance service to Chihuahua state in January 1997. According to a report in Diario de Chihuahua, Avantel is working on constructing a fiber optic network throughout Chihuahua State from Ciudad Juarez to Durango, passing through the capital city, Cd. Chihuahua.
Sources: Diario de Juarez, Las Cruces Sun News