CFE Telecom names new CEO to boost internet project

According to two sources with knowledge of the matter, the name of Emiliano Calderon Market to be the new CEO of the state telecommunications company, a highly known profile in the industry for serving as the coordinator of the National Digital Strategy, but also for being a close and ‘trusted’ man of President López Obrador.

During the López Obrador administration, Calderón Mercado has been involved in the development of the Internet for All program. During the president’s morning conferences, it is usual for him to appear or have some participation to talk about the progress of the connectivity project.

Who is Emiliano Calderon Mercado?

Emiliano Calderón holds a bachelor’s degree in public management and administration from the Ortega y Gasset University Research Institute, which he completed in 2022. According to information from the Civil Service, his career began in 2002 as an IT policy advisor in the executive coordination of IT development and ended in 2006. But he also worked politically. From 2014 to 2018, he served as technical coordinator of the Morena party, as well as priority representative at the National Electoral Institute (INE). A year later, he would enter the Office of the Presidency of the Republic to hold the position of Coordinator of the National Digital Strategy.

Sources describe him as a trusted man for the president, but also as someone who ‘quickly’ learned the operation and technical side of telecommunications.

Jorge Moreno Loza, a lawyer specializing in telecommunications and an expert in the sector, says that although Calderón Mercado already has knowledge of the industry and government support to promote CFE Telecomunicaciones Internet para Todos, he believes that he is not the right profile. “There are voices that criticize his performance,” he says.

His role as head of the National Digital Strategy has been questioned by industry experts. The roadmap to digitize the country – published three years after the start of the six-year term – was composed of axes such as: digital government, free software, digitization of procedures, infrastructure development and cybersecurity, but without a prior diagnosis and clear goals to achieve these objectives. Until now, there is no clarity on the impact that the plan published by Calderón Mercado has had.

Whoever assumes the role of General Director of CFE TEIT must chart a path that allows connecting areas where internet and telephone services are not yet available without putting the state-owned company at financial risk.

Furthermore, it must ensure that its operations do not undermine the competitiveness of the sector, given that there is a reform that seeks to strengthen the company over its competitors.