On November 20, 2024, the Mexican Congress approved the dissolution of seven independent autonomous institutions, including the Federal Institute of Telecommunications (IFETEL). This decision was made in order to streamline public service activities and make more efficient use of resources and public spending. IFETEL is proposed to be integrated into the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transport (SICT) and the Agency for Digital and Telecommunications Transformation (ATDT).

On November 28, 2024, the Mexican Congress issued another decree outlining the responsibilities that the ATDT will assume from IFETEL. According to the Decree, the new body will be responsible for dealing with the following:

• Developing and leading the federal government's policies on digital inclusion, digital government, information technology, communications and telecommunications;
• development and implementation of the Federal Government's telecommunications and broadcasting policy;
• Determine the capacity of satellites to obtain orbital resources and authorize the transmission and reception of foreign satellite signals in order to provide services in Mexico, as a national reserve for national security networks, social services and other government needs, and to monitor the efficient use of satellite capacity;
• develop and lead national technology sovereignty policies and drive technology solutions for the digitalization of processes and services;
• Publish rules, guidelines, manuals, procedures, and other similar instruments necessary for the performance of duties.

In addition, the existing resources of the Coordinación de Estrategia Digital Nacional will be transferred to the ATDT by December 31, 2024, so that the ATDT can start operations on January 1, 2025.

Click on this link to view the original text of the decree issued by the Mexican Congress on November 28, 2024.

On October 2, 2024, the Mexico Federal Telecommunications Agency (IFETEL) approved modifications to the guidelines for type approval and the use of the IFT mark. The revised guidelines for the use of the IFT Marks will come into effect on July 1, 2025, and the vector files containing the IFT Marks referred to in Article 5 of the Guidelines will be made available to persons with valid access rights and passwords through IFTEL's electronic portal from October 3, 2024. Once the guidelines are in effect, vector files may be available as set forth in the last paragraph of Article 5 of the guidelines.

The updated certification guidelines state that each approved product must have a physical or electronic mark or label that must be used by printing, digitizing or permanently affixing the mark. The required marking or identification label data must be permanently engraved, embossed, or printed on a metal, plastic, or other material identification plate or label and fixed to an approved product or packaging. Electronic labels can be used for products with integrated screens, allowing users to view labels clearly and conveniently. For approved products with electronic labels, permanent labeling is optional.

Click on this link to view the original text of the Type Approval Guide update.

Mexico issued a ruling on April 24, 2024, proposing to amend the constitution to dissolve seven autonomous government agencies, including the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFETEL), and turn them into subordinate to the executive branch. The ruling is currently being considered by the Mexico authorities and the Federal Institute of Telecommunications of Mexico (IFETEL) issued a response on the proposal on August 23, 2024.

Click this link to view the details of IFT's response.

On August 22, 2024, the Federal Institute of Telecommunications of Mexico (IFETEL) launched a public consultation on a draft agreement to classify the 64-71 GHz band as free spectrum and published the technical conditions for the operation of the 64-71 GHz band. The consultation will be open for comment until September 20, 2024.

Click on this link to view the original IFT public consultation.

On June 14, 2024, Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) launched a public consultation on proposed changes to the Guidelines for the Use of IFT Labels in Products, Equipment and Devices and the Guidelines for the Certification of Telecommunications or Radio Products, Equipment and Devices. Two public consultations will be conducted in parallel with the aim of reformulating the labelling requirements in the certification framework (IFT certification guidelines starting in December 2021 and IFT labeling guidelines starting in December 2023).

Key changes include updated labeling requirements, which will take effect from March 31, 2025, and require the IFT mark, "IFT" prefix, and certification number to be included on both physical and electronic labels. The purpose of IFT is to avoid industry regulatory disruptions or technical hurdles by adopting best practices for product labeling, while ensuring that there is a way to identify compliant products, such as considering a more flexible approach to small products or products with screens, or if the label cannot be displayed on the product or packaging, consider alternatives such as placing the label in the user manual.

Click this link for the original public consultation on the use of the certification label, and the original public consultation on the certification guidelines. The comment period is available until 12 August 2024.

On December 1, 2023, Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) launched the following public consultations:

• Preliminary draft of technical provisions IFT-016-2023 "Low-power radiocommunication equipment: equipment using the radio spectrum frequency bands in the range of 30 MHz to 3 GHz – Specifications, limits and test methods";
• Preliminary Draft Technical Regulations IFT-017-2023: Radiocommunication Systems Using Wireless Access – Wireless Local Area Networks – Radiocommunication equipment using digital modulation techniques and operating in the frequency bands 5150 MHz-5250 MHz, 5250 MHz-5350 MHz, 5470 MHz -5600 MHz, 5650 MHz-5725 MHz, 5725 MHz-5850 MHz and 5925 MHz-6425 MHz.

The two public consultations, which were originally scheduled to close on 29 January 2024, have been extended to 29 March 2024. Click this link to access the draft IFT-016-2023, click this link to accesses draft IFT-017-2023.

Following the public consultation held on August 4, 2023 by the Federal Institute of Telecommunications of Mexico (IFETEL) on the use of the certification mark, IFETEL officially published the guidelines in the Official Journal of the Federation (DOF) on December 26, 2023, with the main points of the new guidelines including:

• Certificate holders, as well as importers and subsidiaries, must include the IFT mark in the mark or label of telecommunications or broadcasting equipment,
• The IFT mark must be printed in 100% black and must be clearly visible and legible without the aid of magnification,
• The approved product must include the prefix "IFT" and the certificate number in addition to the IFT mark,
• The mark can only be used for the duration of the certificate of approval for approved products,
• It is not mandatory for products that have been approved or have begun the approval process prior to the entry into force of the guidelines. These products will continue to be protected by their respective current certifications.

The guidelines will go into effect on September 9, 2024. Click this link to view the original guide.

Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFETEL) previously held a public consultation on June 23, 2023 on a draft modification of IFT-011-2022: Technical Specifications for Mobile End Equipment Part 3 Emergency Alerts for Cellular Broadcasting Systems. On September 20, 2023, IFETEL released the official modification of NOM-221 Part 3. The main contents of the modification order are as follows:

• The channels designated to receive alert messages in mobile end devices shall not be used for advertising, promotional or other purposes other than those listed in the Technical Regulations;
• Channels 4380 (primary configuration) and 519 (secondary configuration) must be enabled and activated via an MMI code provided by the ETM manufacturer;
• Compliance with the alarm message display format in mobile end devices will be verified by using a digital radio communication simulator;
• The conformity assessment will continue for mobile terminal devices that are undergoing conformity assessment before the modification takes effect, and the assessment can be completed according to the content of the original standard;
• Testing laboratories and certification bodies may continue to publish test reports and CoCs in accordance with versions prior to IFT-011-2022 published on September 13, 2022, for up to 120 calendar days after the modifications take effect.

The amendment order has become effective on 21 September 2023. Click this link to view the original text of the change order.