Carlos Slim's America Movil Wins Approval to Acquire Telmex Internacional

On February 11, 2010, Mexico’s competition regulator, the CFC, approved a plan proposed by Carlos Slim’s America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: AMXA to merge with Telmex Internactional S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: TELINTL) and Carso Global Telecom S.A. de C.V. (BMV: TELECOMA1), two of Slim’s other telecom companies. The proposed merger would have broad implications for Mexico’s telecom sector.

Analysts say a merger would allow America Movil, Mexico’s dominant telecom company to provide Latin American consumers with package deals on internet, cable T.V., and wireless and fixed line telephone service.

Press Sources Report that Mexico's Grupo Televisa is Seeking to Compete with Carlos Slim in Telecom Market

Although no official sources have confirmed the story, several press sources have reported that Mexican television giant Grupo Televisa S.A. (BMV:TLEVISA) and French telecom giant Vivendi SA (EPA:VIV) are discussing a joint bid for mobile-phone airwaves that the Mexican government plans to auction this year, a venture that would increase competition for Carlos Slim's America Movil (BMV:AMXA) and Telmex (BMV:TELMEXA).

Investor Alert: Carlos Slim's America Movil Seeks to Acquire Telmex Internacional

Mexican billionaire Carlos Slim's America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV:AMXA), a company that is currently Latin America's largest wireless telephone service provider, filed a statement with Mexico's securities market regulator, the BMV, saying that the company is seeking a merger with Telmex Internactional S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV:TELINTL) and Carso Global Telecom S.A. de C.V. (BMV:TELECOMA1), in order to cut costs and follow a broader industry trend of consolidation.

Rebounding Remittances in 2010 Could Help Cemex, America Movil

In 2010 an uptick in remittances, money sent by foreign born residents to family members abroad, could help some of Mexico's major companies like Cemex, the cement company, and America Movil, the cell-phone company, that have developed platforms to take advantage of these money flows.

Mexico's Dominant Telecom, America Movil, Begins Losing Market Share to Rival Telefonica

America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:AMX), Carlos Slim's dominating telecom, reported that its share of the Mexican market slipped to 71.7%, as rival Telefonica S.A. (Madrid Stock Exchange:TEF) gained ground.

Carlos Slim's Brazilian Affiliate, Claro, Faces US$1.5M Fine

Mexican press sources reported Anatel, Brazil's telecom regulator has imposed fines on three companies, including a US$1.53 million fine on Claro, an affiliate of Carlos Slim's mega-telecom Telmex (BMV:TELMEXA), for alleged failures in service quality.

Blocked from Offering TV Service, Mexico's Telmex Loses Customers to Televisa

Telefonos de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV:TELMEXA), Mexico's largest fixed-line telephone operator, which is owned by billionaire Carlos Slim, is blocked by Mexico's government from offering TV service because it has allegedly failed to fully comply with regulations requiring it to share its network with rivals, and is losing customers to rival Grupo Televisa, S.A. (BMV: TLEVISA), Mexico's largest pay TV provider, which is able to offer joint TV, telephone, and Internet service.

Youtube Pledges to Help Mexico's War on Drugs with Innovative Campaign

Mexican press sources reported that representatives from Youtube, the internet video service owned by Google Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOG), stated that although the company would not take down or censor "narcocorrido" videos that glorify drug trafficking, it would work with a coaltion of Mexican NGOs, government representatives, and even telecoms tycoon Carlos Slim, to help create web content that shows the negative side of the drug trade.