Mexico

Participation of SMEs on e-Commerce Grows

julian — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 08:28:29 +0800

54 percent of regular sellers from MercadoLibre have some kind of collaboration with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), according to results of a study by The Nielsen Company.

   Also, 38 percent is composed of traders who work for themselves and the remaining 8.0 percent of large companies.

   MercadoLibre, e-commerce portal, reports that according to this study grew in the last 11 years the participation of SMEs in the total volume of transactions through the site and there was a trend towards 'professionalization' of sales platform of users.

   SMEs increased from occasional sellers of used products to professionals using the platform as an additional product sale.

   For 20 percent of regular sellers of MercadoLibre, current sales on the site represent their only livelihood, while for 80 percent is translated to an additional income to their salary.

   The analysis also considers the creation of at least nine thousand new jobs over the next six months, since at present there are about 52 000 people that generate all or most of their income through sales made in e-commerce site.

   In the first half of 2010, 17.5 million were sold products totaling one thousand 530 million dollars, while in 2009 more than three million users (individuals and companies) sold products worth more than two thousand 751 million dollars.

   In this regard, highlights the potential of Internet as job and place where entrepreneurs and SMEs can grow a business.

   According to a statement, it is sellers who have an average of 6.2 employees, of which 2.5 is dedicated to manage sales in MercadoLibre.

   Of all respondents, 56 percent did not change his previous job or profession to devote themselves only to online sales, but generates revenue from both channels, a trend that occurs particularly in people with higher education.

Reference: EL UNIVERSAL, Newspaper, published on August 26^th, 2010, Taken from:

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/articulos/60409.html

Certificacion of SMEs increases a 25%

julian — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:34:27 +0800

During 2009 the certification of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) increased 25 percent over last year, demonstrating the importance of this measure to achieve greater international competitiveness.

This was stated by the Manager of Certification of Management Systems NYCE, A. C., Cano Pedro Calderón, to participate in the International Congress of Quality for SMEs.

The expert acknowledged that 80 percent of small businesses die in their second year of operations, mainly because they lack qualifications, which are essential to sell abroad.

Cano Calderon said that in 2009 the Mexican certification sector increased 25 percent from 2008, when the figure reached four thousand 990 companies certified by ISO 9001 and currently there are over six thousand companies with a certificate of this type.

He stressed that globally the trend is in favor of certification, so 'micro enterprise, small, medium or large who wish to have a marked tendency towards evolution and high competitiveness will be one in which predominate the activities, practices and techniques involved in their Quality Management.

The International Congress of Quality for SMEs met more than a thousand people, entrepreneurs, experts, academics, officials from both home and abroad, of which 60 percent of the participants are micro-enterprises, 30 percent medium-sized companies and 17 percent small business.

Reference: EL UNIVERSAL, Newspaper, Published on August 19^th, taken from:

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/articulos/60347.html

They want to compete with Smarts

julian — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:34:12 +0800

The category of smartphones represents 8% of the market, but concentrates 24% in value terms, said Antonio Hidalgo, director of marketing for LG Mexico

The market for smartphones this year maintained its growth in the country, according to IDC. Until now reaches 294 million devices worldwide displaced, which is why cell phone companies are becoming more proactive in launching products in the quest to retain and attract more users.

"The only line that we needed to penetrate for complete supply and product portfolio for the Mexican consumer was the smart phone category," he says in an interview with Antonio Hidalgo, director of marketing for LG Electronics Mexico.

This category is growing, says the manager, and represents 8% of the market, but concentrates 24% in value terms. "We firmly believe is the future of cellular telephony market," says chemical engineer in an interview by the UNAM, but with three years experience in the company.

Why go so far to the market for smartphones?

Over the last three years we have become an important brand in the mobile phone market. Four years ago LG ranked number five in the Mexican mobile market and have now become the number two venture.

We have distinguished themselves as models of high-design or Shine Secret Chocolate, extended the market after consumer products such as KP 107 and the only line that we needed to explore was the smart category.

What reflects the increase in demand for these products?

It is because today the market is covered by 80% and we believe will be very difficult for that penetration will increase dramatically, hence it will return a replacement market models, increasingly advanced.

Once you try a product after you demand more and so on, and we believe the market will move towards smartphones for several reasons. First, because these phones have an operating system which makes them much more powerful and flexible. Second, they allow Internet get easier and enhance the use of social networks.

What are the characteristics of smartphones from LG?

In terms of technology, we are the only brand that has within its product offering two operating systems: Windows Mobile and Android, in three different teams.

The GW620 led to a young audience with the Android operating system and constant connectivity to social networks, the GW550 is aimed at executives and business people who need to bring a mobile office and wireless internet, and finally the GM730 with multimedia features and direct access to YouTube videos. It is for those users looking for an entertainment center and the advantages of a mobile office in your pocket.

How strong is the phone division for the company?

Approximately 33%. We see the greatest potential for your cellular phone technology and product capabilities and we believe the development will be in the area of innovation, development of new applications and interfaces with other products.

Were there any sales low by the crisis?

After the crisis we observe a polarization effect in the places where there were those who wanted to make an extra effort to have something better and those who decided to wait.

From the point of view of units from the middle of last year and part of it has grown by 7% sales of new lines.

Being in contact via cell phone is a requirement in the lives of consumers and is no longer a luxury spending, they are looking to minimize their costs by consuming less, but they want to always have communication through mobile phones.

Reference: EL UNIVERSAL, Newspaper, Published on August 20^th, taken from:

http://www.eluniversal.com.mx/articulos/60316.html

Movistar reveals its Plans for iPhone 4

julian — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:30:51 +0800

Movistar reveals its Plans for iPhone 4

The company announces that it has prepared five plans to launch the same day that Telcel

After Telcel announced the availability of the iPhone in April to Friday 27 August, Telefonica Movistar would not stay behind, and your Twitter account @ clubmovistarmx revealed the five 'plans iPhone4' that is prepared to launch the same day that the company Carlos Slim.

The teams will be available 16GB and 32GB and plans include: minutes for calls to landlines, movistar and other companies nationwide, toll free numbers and 3G data bag for navigation.

The monthly cost iPhone Movistar plans are: Basic iPhone will cost 449 pesos for an iPhone Total of 599 pesos for the iPhone Total 2 699 pesos for the iPhone Total 3 819 pesos and the iPhone Total 4 thousand 119 pesos.

And for those who do not want is an alternative, hire Postpaid mode over periods of 12, 18 and 24 months with special benefits, said the website.

For now these are the data and costs offered by the company.

Source: El Universal

http://www.mundo-contact.com/enlinea_detalle.php?recordID=19222

Telcel and Movistar will block stolen Cell Phones

julian — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:30:49 +0800

The aim is to discourage the reuse of these devices on the black market

From this Tuesday, Telcel and Telefonica companies begin to block all cell phones that are reported stolen in order to discourage the reuse of these devices on the black market, according to the newspaper El Universal.

In conference, the coordinator of regulatory affairs Telcel, Daniel Bernal said users have 30 days from the theft of his cell to ask for the lock which will take effect in 24 hours.

On March 24 Mexico Telcel and Telefónica launched the Convention for the exchange of information to prevent reuse of stolen phones, which begins on the third and last stage with the final block of the teams reported.

To lock a stolen cell phone user will be essential that a finding before the Public Ministry and the present in a call center company that provides the service with a valid official identification.

Also, you must sign the application form block in which is approved and confirmed by the IMEI, ie the number that identifies each computer and cell consisting of 15 digits recorded on the computer.

Bernal stressed that the Nextel phone and Iusacell have shown interest in joining this initiative, however, their participation depends on several technical factors.

'They have been invited and have had interest in the subject but the technologies in which they operate are different so that the necessary exchange of data is somewhat complicated, Telcel and Telefonica if we operate with the same technology in the mobile network. "

Unfortunately, he added, there is no precise statistics on the incidence of theft of cell whenever the low numbers in each company did not detail if the reason is the theft or loss.

However, he said, this collaboration agreement will help create a database with which you can measure progress against crime not only theft but also extortion.

Source: El Universal

http://www.mundo-contact.com/enlinea_detalle.php?recordID=19216

UN and OAS ask Autonomy for COFETEL

julian — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:30:23 +0800

Envoys from UN and OAS issued 11 recommendations to government, stress the role of government in promoting the autonomy of the media and guaranteeing the existence of a plurality of democracy

The concentration of ownership and control of the media who have been assigned radio frequencies and television in Mexico has led to limit "seriously" pluralism and democratic debate, said the UN special rapporteurs and OAS, who recommended giving autonomy to Cofetel to ensure fairness in the matter. This is today publishing the newspaper El Universal.

In announcing the preliminary observations of joint official visit to Mexico of the UN rapporteurs, Frank La Rue, and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) for Freedom of Expression, Catalina Botero, stressed the role of State in promoting the autonomy of the media and guaranteeing the existence of a plurality of democracy.

"All frequencies are state property and the state must allocate equitably," said La Rue El Universal. They noted that the country is lacking a clear legal framework, accurate and equitable in the allocation of frequency.

For this, the body responsible for regulating the distribution of radio spectrum (Cofetel) should enjoy complete autonomy from the executive branch, in order to be able to address objectively the use of frequencies, "without any privileges or no interest political, "said the rapporteur of the United Nations.

La Rue highlighted the Mexican lag in this area and lack of access of small means to a proper disclosure of community radio in particular. He explained his opposition to a split between licensed and permissible means and the need to strengthen public broadcasting.

The rapporteurs of the UN and IACHR proposed a list of 11 recommendations binding and comply immediately by the Mexican government. In plurality, proposed creation of a regulatory framework to facilitate access to minority media sectors, including community members, linking the proposal with the creation of an independent regulatory body of the spectrum and the establishment of objective criteria and not discriminatory advertising.

Mexico is the most dangerous country in the Americas for journalists, noted experts, who suggested federalize crimes against the press, strengthen and provide financial and political autonomy to the special attorney of the PGR and establish a national protection Joint reporters led by a federal authority, but includes representatives of the journalistic profession and associations that defend human rights. Another measure is to train the army and the police in her dealings with reporters.

They also suggested that the organs of transparency, such as IFAI, be given full autonomy and their decisions are final and unassailable, even allowing access to the preliminary investigations completed or inactive for a reasonable period.

Source: El Universal

http://www.mundo-contact.com/enlinea_detalle.php?recordID=19229

Telcel Pays the Rights for the Spectrum

julian — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 02:30:20 +0800

The company paid the consideration of three thousand 793 million 865 thousand pesos for the 30 Mhz which won in the bidding for the 1.7 GHz band

The company Telcel has already paid the consideration of three thousand 793 000 000 865 000 pesos for the 30 Megahertz (Mhz) who won in the bidding for the 1.7 GHz band (GHz).

The Regulatory Affairs Coordinator Telcel, Daniel Bernal said that after payment of duties and only 'we are waiting for us to deliver the title and we are reviewing what the next steps'.

For Telcel, he said, is extremely important that the Federal Telecommunications Commission (Cofetel) publicly disclose the structure of bids during the process of economic proposals to allocate the 1.7 GHz band.

"We believe that such information is relevant to the market, ask Cofetel and the Swiss Federal Institute of Access to Information and Protection of Information (IFAI) and what we have seen in public statements the Commission is not against giving ' .

He said the company can not issue any opinion on how the Commissioners of the regulatory body issued the favorable ruling for Televisa, Nextel, Telcel and Telefonica Movistar obtain the spectrum nationally.

'I do not know the opinions of the commissioners because they are public, we just have the bug that is what we did and expect payment once we have access to all information we will review in detail the proposals. "

Telcel was awarded one of three blocks of 30 Mhz that the government made available to the market through the bidding in which presented the highest financial bid valid three thousand 793 million 865 thousand pesos.

Source: El Universal

http://www.mundo-contact.com/enlinea_detalle.php?recordID=19221

Operators in México will stop offering Unlimited 3G plans.

julian — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:19:50 +0800

Operators change their business plans, seeking that the user pays what they consume.

With the increased use of mobile devices with Internet access, such as smartphones and tablets, the 3G network has been saturated, so that operators change their business model by not offering unlimited data plans, said Moises Paucic, partner of Deloitte consultant Mexico. That is how it was released today by the newspaper Reforma.

According to the consultant, the saturation of the 3G network has meant that suppliers have opted for the broadband consumer should pay megabytes specifically as it consumes.

"Unlimited access models will disappear little by little, cell phone plans including all start to disappear because the networks are saturated because they did not expect people to download videos or used mostly for network services such as VoIP (voice over internet protocol), "said Paucic.

The consultant said that currently it blocks the network operators when users reach a certain limit of megabytes consumed, so if the user requires more MBs, they charge you additionally. "Those who use it more, pay more, simple as that," he said.

For example, Telcel poses a limit of consumption in accordance with rates published on its website.

"All internet plans have a maximum monthly consumption limit. Once this limit use your navigation will be blocked. When you start the next billing cycle, navigation will be reactivated automatically. If you want you can purchase an additional package to continue surfing the Internet ", specify.

Sergio Solorzano, marketing manager of value-added services for Telcel, said the demand for mobile broadband internet has meant that the supply for consumption data can be adapted to customer needs.

"For example, we know that each client has different needs, so we offer in prepaid pay only what they consume from a weight per MB, or packages for a day, two days, seven days, two weeks to a month. For postpaid is a wide and varied monthly payment, according to Megabytes or Gigabytes that customers want or know they will consume, "said the director of Telcel.

Sergio Chueca, deputy director of value added services and content for Telefonica Movistar Mexico, said that by offering an unlimited data plan, users could have an experience, limited as it would consume more bandwidth but do not need, so you have chosen to offer packages to suit specific needs.

"I think in recent years have seen a shift in the development of devices and the technology is suitable for users to have a better experience. We are not offering unlimited plans. Experience has shown that these plans do not necessarily cover the need the great majority, and makes a few may impair the experience, "he said.

Have they ever been unlimited?

The data plans from wireless carriers will no longer be unlimited and users will pay per Megabyte consuming, but really from the beginning have been restricted.

In July 2008, when it launched the first version of iPhone in Mexico, even within their plans "unlimited", Telcel warned that if less than 3 GB of data downloaded before the end of the month, the speed is 1.5 Mbps restrict to 128 Kbps for the remainder of the period.

Once last month, returned to restore speed to 1.5 Mbps

Reference: El REFORMA, Newspaper, Published on August 24^th, taken from:

http://www.mundo-contact.com/enlinea_detalle.php?recordID=19176

Mobile Telephony will Impulse Internet: AMIPCI

julian — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:19:32 +0800

They explain that the raise of the Net and the closure of the digital divide in population will be throughout mobile telephones.

Mobile telephony will be the main detonator of Internet and the best way to literate in technology, considered the vice-president of the Marketing Committee and Publicity of AMIPCI, Engel Fonseca.

The integrant of the Mexican Internet Association (AMIPCI, for its acronym in Spanish), explained that in countries like México the raising of the Net and the closure of the digital divide will not be made until the whole population have a computer, but throughout cell phones.

He said the computer is not the only tool to access to Internet, because third generation cell phones (3G) have the same technical capacities in a more accessible price, which increases the disposition for users to get close to this technology.

A cell phone is an optimum device to start the technological literacy of any person because its functions are basic for, in any case, pass to the usage of the computer, said in an interview with Notimex.

According to information from AMIPCI, in the 80% of homes in México exist a line or lines for cell phones, in comparison with a 37% of existence of computers.

Reference: El UNIVERSAL, Newspaper, Published on August 24^th, taken from:

http://www.mundo-contact.com/enlinea_detalle.php?recordID=19193

CANITEC Suggest to Cheapen Telephony

julian — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 08:19:18 +0800

The only way to reduce charges is decreasing interconnection: Puente

The public policy of the country is reducing the price of telephony and the only way is through the decline in interconnection between telecommunications networks, said Alejandro Puente, president of the National Chamber of the Cable Telecommunications Industry (Canitec).

He said that this decrease in the amounts to be paid by dealers to gain access to networks should be the priority item on the agenda of the Federal Telecommunications Commission (Cofetel), now that is led by Mony de Swaan Adatti.

In an interview with the newspaper El Universal, Puente said that nothing would be convergence of services, in which all players compete in all market segments, if the user rates remain high in prices.

The solution to lower prices of consumer services is not convergence, but to have lower interconnection rates, said the president of the Canitec.

He said that instead of the presidents of the Federal Competition Commission (CFC) and the Federal Telecommunications Commission (Cofetel), Eduardo Perez Motta and Mony de Swaan, respectively, are proposing that Telmex to join in the television market, what they should do is to address the fundamental issue, which is having much cheaper telephone charges for users.

He said that both President of the Republic, Felipe Calderón, the Secretary of Communications and Transport, Juan Molinar Horcasitas, are convinced that these prices should be reduced, "but it seems that the presiding officers in the field of telecommunications competition are in different positions. " In this regard, I consider it irresponsible and biased by these officials point out that Telmex should be allowed to provide video service, when what they should do is to stimulate consumer interest with flexible tariffs.

"Why Pérez Motta and De Swaan do not talk about it if it is the fundamental issue? The official is partially trying to encourage someone when today the public policy agenda of the country is lower phone tariffs and the only way is to lower the price of interconnection, a commitment made by the president", said.

Gustavo de la Garza, president of Marcatel, said that both are right Perez Motta and De Swaan to say that all dealers should have the same facilities for the competition to be even, but they overlook is legally impossible to change the title of grant Teléfonos de Mexico, for better or for worse.

This is because the phone company is in breach of their certificate of grant, and is therefore facing a healing process with the Ministry of Communications and Transport (SCT).

Reference: El UNIVERSAL, Newspaper, Published on August 24^th, taken from:

http://www.mundo-contact.com/enlinea_detalle.php?recordID=19185