The familiar landscape of ICT regulation in Mexico is undergoing a seismic shift. While the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT or IFETEL) is still in operation, its days are numbered. A new law is ushering in a completely restructured framework.
On July 16, 2025, Mexico enacted the new Federal Telecommunications and Broadcasting Law, setting in motion the dissolution of the long-standing IFT. We’re moving from a single autonomous body to a new dual-agency model, a change that promises to redefine market access for telecommunications and broadcasting products.
New Players: ATDT and CRT
The responsibilities once held by the IFT will now be split between two new entities:
- The Digital Transformation and Telecommunications Agency (ATDT): Think of the ATDT as the strategic brain. It’s a cabinet-level agency tasked with shaping public policy, driving digital inclusion programs, and overseeing public infrastructure. The ATDT will also manage both public and private telecommunications projects.
- The Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (CRT): The CRT will be the technical heart of the new system. As a decentralized body operating under the ATDT, it will handle the nuts and bolts of regulation. This includes crucial functions for our industry, such as spectrum management, licensing, and, most importantly, type approvals.
The Transition: A Period of Watchful Waiting
So, what does this mean for your product certifications right now? The short answer is: The IFT is still operational, but in a transitional capacity.
The full transfer of power hinges on the formal appointment of the CRT’s five new commissioners by the President. Until the CRT’s Plenary is fully established, the IFT will continue its duties to ensure regulatory continuity.
