On April 20, 2026, the National Connectivity Plan 2026-2030 (the “Plan”), issued by the Agency for Digital Transformation and Telecommunications (the “Agency”), was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation. Through this instrument, the Mexican State seeks to guarantee universal, affordable, and quality access to Internet services for the entire population, particularly for priority population groups and underserved areas. Its main purpose is to expand the coverage and accessibility of telecommunications services through the deployment of terrestrial and satellite infrastructure.
The Plan was issued in compliance with Section XII of Article 9 of the Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law, which establishes, among the Agency’s powers, the preparation of the national connectivity and Internet access plan.
Likewise, the Plan establishes a collaborative governance framework aimed at achieving its objectives through multidisciplinary cooperation among the Agency, the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, the Federal Electricity Commission, the Telecommunications Investment Promotion Agency, as well as Altán Redes and small local operators. This approach is based on the recognition of several structural challenges to achieving effective connectivity, including the costs associated with infrastructure deployment, the availability and management of radio spectrum, and geographic constraints in hard-to-reach areas that hinder new investment.
By 2030, the Plan aims to increase coverage from 94% to 98% of the population, thereby extending connectivity to approximately 91,041 localities. To achieve this goal, it contemplates the use of public infrastructure, the participation of small local operators, social coverage schemes, and the use of satellite technology to expand effective access in rural, remote, and highly marginalized communities.
In this way, the Agency seeks to strengthen territorial equity by reducing access and usage gaps between urban and rural areas, and by integrating connectivity as an essential component of regional and community development, in line with the State’s mandate to guarantee public services of general interest under equitable conditions. To this end, the Plan is structured around the following five main pillars, consistent with the 2026 Social Coverage Program and the 2026 Connectivity in Public Sites and Priority Areas Program:
- First pillar: establishes a national inventory of sites and projects, aligned with Plan México and coordinated with public- and private-sector stakeholders.
- Second pillar: prioritizes the most underserved territories — including rural, indigenous, and Afro-Mexican communities — through priority areas designated by the Agency.
- Third pillar: seeks to accelerate deployment by removing regulatory barriers through the implementation of a digital one-stop shop, harmonization of permits, infrastructure sharing, spectrum fee discounts and incentives, facilitation of 5G deployment, strategic spectrum assignments, and the use of satellite capacity.
- Fourth pillar: conceives connectivity as a tool for social transformation, addressing affordability gaps, digital literacy, community training, and the expansion of public digital spaces.
- Fifth pillar: consolidates sustainable governance by strengthening coordination among public and private stakeholders to ensure the continuity of the Plan and tangible results throughout the territory.
Progress under the Plan and the degree of compliance with its targets will be assessed through annual measurable indicators, allowing for adjustments, monitoring, and continuous improvement in its implementation. Although execution of the Plan faces significant challenges — particularly in isolated areas or regions with low economic viability for traditional infrastructure deployment — technological advances, the strategic use of satellite capacity, and public investment allocated by the Agency could significantly help overcome such barriers and accelerate connectivity in historically underserved regions.
At Acedo Santamarina, S.C., we remain at your disposal to provide advice regarding the scope and implications of the Plan.
