This year, Telcel intends to donate mobile phones to older adults, along with training to teach them how to use them, with the aim of integrating them into the new digital ecosystem that promises to take off rapidly thanks to 5G technology. Expansion requested more information from Telcel about this handset delivery, but has not yet received an immediate response.
América Móvil has highlighted on previous occasions the importance of subsidizing mobile devices and connectivity services so that people with fewer economic resources can access these services. According to Roxana Flores Alexanderson, there is a need for collaboration between the government, civil society and companies to carry out technological projects, thus creating a “triangle of mutual support”.
Percentage of spending that goes to a smartphone
The 2022 State Digital Development Index, prepared by the Mexico Digital Center, revealed that lower-income residents in places like Chiapas They end up allocating up to 72% of their monthly income to purchase a cheap-range smartphone. Similarly, in oaxaca people spend 58% of their spending on a mobile device. These data highlight the need to address the digital divide and seek solutions so that all sectors of the population can access technology equitably.
In contrast, a consumer of the Mexico City You spend 28% of your monthly income to purchase a smartphone.
Lucas Gallitto, director for Latin America of the GSMA, recognizes the need to materialize subsidy programs for equipment and services, as well as training for the development of skills, in order to avoid the increase in the digital divide. However, this would imply an investment of $1,500 per person, which raises the question of “who should finance the services and devices.”
Gallitto points out that in Mexico there is no longer a universal services fund, so it is necessary to look for alternatives, such as the contribution of all parties involved, including technology companies that benefit from the networks. For this, the creation of a new fund is proposed in which these programs can be financed.
“The technology companies that are benefiting from the networks should also enter there,” he says.
The adoption and use of mobile devices allow users to seamlessly transition to more advanced technologies. As a result, operators such as América Móvil can gradually reduce their dependence on 2G and 3G networks, in favor of more efficient and faster technologies.
The director of the GSMA highlighted that in countries like Argentina the universal services fund is used to finance the acquisition of computers and devices, while in the United States vouchers are given to people who require social support, so that they can exchange them with the operators and access telecommunication services and even devices.
The cost of maintaining 2G and 3G
Telcel stands out as the only operator that continues to offer 2G and 3G technology services in Mexico, since a large part of the population still depends on these networks for its connectivity.
According to the report ‘The Mobile Economy in Latin America 2022’, carried out by the global organization GSMA, 49% of Mexicans still use 3G technology, which allows them to make calls, send emails, messages and surf the Internet. On the other hand, 8% of the population connects through second generation networks (2G), which only make it possible to make calls and send messages.
With the objective of improving the quality of its network both nationally and internationally, América Móvil made a total investment of 8,000 million dollars at the end of last year. According to Flores Alexanderson, a part of this investment was earmarked for 2G and 3G technologies in Mexico, although the exact amount was not specified.
Thanks to this investment, the company was able to connect a total of 513 million people, which represents an increase of 2 million users compared to the previous year. Of these, 50 million are in remote areas. For this year, América Móvil plans to invest the same amount and connect another 2 million users in rural and remote areas.
The company’s board of directors highlighted that one of the strategies implemented both in Mexico and in other international operations is to continue investing in networks, even in technologies prior to 4G and 5G, to guarantee connectivity in remote populations. In addition, programs that promote access to technology and the development of digital skills are being implemented.
However, it is recognized that there is not yet a public policy framework or an established ecosystem that allows a rapid transition from 2G and 3G technologies to 4G. Although it is expected to move in this direction, it is necessary to establish a clear path that gives users the possibility to access new technologies effectively.