Mexico eyes pay TV regs

New rules expected by fall

By MARY SUTTER

MEXICO CITY -- Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Commission (Cofetel) has submitted its proposal for long-awaited pay TV and audio regulations to the government authorities and industry reps for their review.

Cofetel consulted various authorities, experts and industry reps to prepare the rules covering pay TV -- cable, microwave and DTH -- as well as pay audio or other restricted music services.

The various parties will have the opportunity to comment on the proposal, and Cofetel aims to issue a final version before October.

Pay TV subscribers currently number about 2 million, or 12.5% of TV homes. The industry is expected to add another 60,000 homes by 2000, Cofetel said.