Friday, July 25, 2025

Mexican broadcaster Televisa to launch mobile phone service, challenging Slim

Note* - All images used are for editorial and illustrative purposes only and may not originate from the original news provider or associated company.

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

– Leave Message for Us to Get Back

Related stories

Bridge Alliance, Aeris Launch IoT Security Solution in APAC

Bridge Alliance, a collaboration of top mobile operators across...

Oracle to Boost Cloud and AI infrastructure in Europe

Oracle is allocating $2 billion over the next five...

Teleste to supply 1.8 GHz Broadband Tech to VodafoneZiggo

Teleste has signed a major agreement with VodafoneZiggo, one...

Trimble, KT to Expand RTX Fast Network in South Korea

Trimble has partnered with KT Corporation in South Korea...

Mexican broadcaster Televisa said on Sunday it will start offering mobile phone service, a bid to challenge billionaire Carlos Slim’s America Movil, which has long dominated the country’s telecommunications market.

Rather than building infrastructure, Televisa will operate as a mobile virtual network operator, or MVNO, and begin by offering service to existing customers of its cable and home internet packages, sold under its Izzi brand. The broadcaster will rent space on Mexico’s wholesale telecom network, operated by Altan Redes.

Televisa originally planned to roll out the service in September, Izzi Chief Executive Salvi Folch said in an interview. But as cases of the coronavirus began climbing, executives sensed the economic turmoil stemming from the virus would create more demand for low-price phone packages and will now launch the service on Monday.

“The pandemic made us accelerate our plans,” Folch said. “People will have to spend less on some services. … We view it as an opportunity.”

Televisa follows in the footsteps of U.S. cable companies such as Comcast Corp and Charter Communications Inc that have ventured into the mobile market as MVNOs in recent years.

Mexico has long fought to promote competition in telecommunications, even passing a constitutional reform in 2013 aimed at loosening Slim’s grip on the market. Yet global telecoms titans such as AT&T and Telefonica have failed to meaningfully erode Slim’s market share and America Movil still holds about two-thirds of mobile phone lines, according to statistics from Mexican telecom regulator IFT.

Some telecom experts argue the key to boosting competition is to pit America Movil and Televisa, the king of Mexican broadcasting, against each other.

Televisa’s cellular service will be priced at 250 pesos a month per line with unlimited data, about 80% cheaper than comparable packages from America Movil, the broadcaster said. The company will offer the phone plans to roughly 3 million households in 17 Mexican cities.

Televisa may consider expanding the service beyond its own clients in the future, Folch said, but starting with existing customers enabled the company to capitalize on economies of scale. The broadcaster will also save by directing customers to purchase phones from other vendors, rather than financing devices.

Televisa has struggled in recent years as broadcasters worldwide grapple with declining viewership. The new offering will strengthen the company’s telecom units, which have become its biggest moneymaker, driving close to 70% of net sales in the first quarter.

Latest stories

Related stories

Bridge Alliance, Aeris Launch IoT Security Solution in APAC

Bridge Alliance, a collaboration of top mobile operators across...

Oracle to Boost Cloud and AI infrastructure in Europe

Oracle is allocating $2 billion over the next five...

Teleste to supply 1.8 GHz Broadband Tech to VodafoneZiggo

Teleste has signed a major agreement with VodafoneZiggo, one...

Trimble, KT to Expand RTX Fast Network in South Korea

Trimble has partnered with KT Corporation in South Korea...

Subscribe

- Never miss a story with notifications

- Gain full access to our premium content

- Browse free from any location or device.

Media Packs

Expand Your Reach With Our Customized Solutions Empowering Your Campaigns To Maximize Your Reach & Drive Real Results!

– Access the Media Pack Now

– Book a Conference Call

– Leave Message for Us to Get Back