Mexicos Telmex launches short Web-based newscast

Mexico's Telmex launches short Web-based newscast

Telmex wants to take advantage of improved technology to offer television channels to millions of families across Mexico that subscribe to its high-speed Internet connection service

Friday, December 26, 2008

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO: Telmex, Mexico's leading fixed-line phone provider, has launched a short Web-based newscast, testing the waters of the country's television market.

UNO TV went live this week on the website of Telmex's Prodigy Media content hub (http://www.prodigymedia.com), offering news streaming for a few minutes twice a day, Monday through Friday.

Young anchors presented brief stories on Tuesday about giant Chinese pandas, iPods used for praying, counterfeit chocolates and Christmas celebrations in Germany.

The anchors were in a small studio with a prominent display of the colorful UNO TV Noticias (News) pixeled logo on their laptops.

Telmex, short for Telefonos de Mexico, is majority owned by Carlos Slim, one of the richest men in the world, and is Mexico's dominant telephone operator.

Telmex wants to take advantage of improved technology to offer television channels to millions of families across Mexico that subscribe to its high-speed Internet connection service.

Telmex has said it is ready to offer television services using its existing broadband network to carry video and bundle it with phone and Internet services, known as "triple-play."

The company's efforts to obtain government approval to tap the television market have met with strong opposition from cable television operators who fear Telmex will use its muscle to unfairly dominate their markets.

Telmex, which Slim bought from the government nearly 20 years ago, has a permit to operate phone and other communication services.

But cable television, video streaming, and satellite television were just finding their way into the Mexican media in the 1990s and were not fleshed out in Telmex's concession.

Telmex says its permit allows it to offer video content but authorities say it does not and that the company needs to amend the concession. The government is also considering whether Telmex should pay an additional fee.

Cable providers are urging authorities not to grant Telmex, which is negotiating with the government, permission to offer television.

Most cities in Mexico have only one cable television operator and Telmex says it wants to boost competition.

Company officials were not available to comment on the UNO TV launch.

©Reuters