The acquisition of 49 percent of Altán Redes shares by the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) has generated uncertainty in the telecommunications industry. There is concern that the company responsible for operating the Shared Network may prioritize CFE's network requests over those of other Mobile Virtual Operators (MVNOs).
Luis Mancera, lawyer and partner at the Pérez-Llorca firm, expressed his concern by stating: "With CFE's purchase of shares in Altán, the State has become a regulator of telecommunications and a provider of telecommunications services for end users, which could result in discrimination against other mobile virtual operators."
Mancera mentioned past experiences in Mexico that highlight the failure of similar models, such as the case of the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), which favored Pemex for years. Although the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFT) determined that CFE should renounce its concession to offer wholesale services, this measure is considered insufficient to ensure fair competition in the telecommunications sector.
The lawyer pointed out the possibility that traditional mobile operators and MVNOs may file complaints if any privileges toward CFE by Altán are observed. Mancera emphasized the importance of avoiding any type of discriminatory treatment in wholesale telecommunications service requests, warning that otherwise, operators would have the right to file complaints for practices that harm free competition.
