Mexico Owns Just 3% of the Fiber Optic Infrastructure Compared to the US: Digital Gap Highlighted

Fiber optic technology is essential for linking such infrastructure, thanks to its thousands of glass filaments that transmit light pulses carrying data, video, music, and various internet content at high speeds and reduced latency.

Although there is no precise current measurement of the fiber optic kilometers laid in the country, two years ago, Sóstenes Díaz, a commissioner at the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT), estimated that there were about 412,000 kilometers for access and around 266,000 kilometers for transport. Yet, these figures are still insufficient.

According to the Mexican Association of Data Centers, by 2029, there are plans to build 73 new Data Centers, adding to the existing 166 in operation. Stemming from this, the president of C3ntro Telecom emphasized that the nation must accelerate fiber deployment to meet the upcoming data consumption demands of these large infrastructures, despite current challenges.

“There’s a threat of tariffs, but companies understand that they cannot be left out of Data Center developments for AI. Even though there might be uncertainty, inflation, or currency issues, the internet and data demand will not stop,” said Masri.

Commitment to Expanding Fiber Optic Kilometers

C3ntro Telecom is seizing this opportunity with its Tikva project, which involves laying 2,500 kilometers of underground fiber optic cables from Querétaro to Phoenix, Arizona—both major hubs aimed at meeting the AI-generated demand from players like Google, Amazon, and Meta.

The company has not disclosed the investment details for the project but noted that the fiber layout would include 29 repeater points across cities like Hermosillo, Mazatlán, Guaymas, Culiacán, Durango, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas, Celaya, Irapuato, and León.

Addressing safety in regions considered highly insecure due to organized crime, the company assured that local governments have pledged support to ensure the safety of over 3,000 workers involved in deploying the Tikva network.

“A key feature of the plan is that it’s a completely underground network, making it immune to hydrological, geographical, and natural disasters. It’s also a very secure network, ensuring it won’t have the cuts that aerial networks experience,” he commented.

The aim is to market the project to major Data Center players like Microsoft, Amazon, Google, Oracle, or Meta. The executive confirmed that a contract has been secured with one of these companies, though the name wasn’t disclosed as the agreements are confidential.

C3ntro Telecom also plans to sell its fiber optic network to traditional fixed and mobile operators in the country such as Izzi, Megacable, Totalplay, Telefónica, and AT&T, as well as to smaller operators that provide fixed connectivity to hard-to-reach areas.

“In addition to meeting AI demand, this network deployment will help bridge the digital divide through operators known as Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISP),” added the executive.