PT Leader Calls for Public Internet Access
- MEXICO CITY (AP) — Municipalities across Mexico should be required to provide public internet access, according to a proposal from reginaldo Sandoval, parliamentary leader of the Labour Party...
- Sandoval is seeking reforms to Article 115 of the Constitution.
- Sandoval Flores,in advocating for the project,cited the United Nations' recognition of internet access as a human right since 2011.
Mexican Lawmaker Proposes Municipalities Guarantee Public Internet Access
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MEXICO CITY (AP) — Municipalities across Mexico should be required to provide public internet access, according to a proposal from reginaldo Sandoval, parliamentary leader of the Labour Party (PT) in the Chamber of Deputies.
Sandoval is seeking reforms to Article 115 of the Constitution. The proposed changes would add public internet service to the list of essential services municipalities are already mandated to provide.These services currently include clean water, waste collection, drainage, markets, public safety, and cemeteries.
Internet Access as a Human Right
Sandoval Flores,in advocating for the project,cited the United Nations’ recognition of internet access as a human right since 2011. He also noted that Article 6 of the Mexican Constitution acknowledges the state’s responsibility to guarantee internet access.
However, according to Sandoval, the existing legal framework lacks specific requirements or methods to ensure citizens can access the internet in public spaces.
He argued that publicly provided internet access promotes development and facilitates the exercise of other basic rights.
“In Mexico, the right to internet access is limited,” sandoval said. “Many citizens cannot access cyberspace because they cannot afford the fees charged by service providers, or because the service is simply unavailable in thier communities.”
Internet Usage Statistics
Sandoval cited the National Survey on availability and Use of Household Data Technologies 2022, conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), which found that 93 million Mexicans, or more than 78% of the population, are internet users.
this means that roughly 8 out of 10 people in Mexico use the internet.
According to INEGI, the primary uses of the internet among Mexicans include dialog, social networking, entertainment, information seeking, and educational support.
Cost of Access
Data from the National Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2022, also conducted by INEGI, indicates that Mexican households allocate approximately 4.9% of their communications spending to internet access, averaging 1,952 pesos (approximately $110 USD) per quarter.
The most common expenditure, representing nearly 29% of total household spending on communication services, is the purchase of prepaid mobile data plans.
The survey also revealed that 3.6 million households in Mexico do not spend any money on communication services. More than 43% of these households belong to the “medium low” and “low” socioeconomic strata.
Mexican Lawmaker Proposes Public Internet Access: your Questions Answered
Are you curious about the push for public internet access in Mexico? This Q&A-style article delves into the proposal by Mexican lawmaker Reginaldo Sandoval and what it could mean for citizens. We’ll break down the key aspects of the proposal,its potential impact,and relevant statistics.
What is the Mexican Lawmaker’s Proposal?
Q: What is the core of the proposal put forth by Reginaldo Sandoval?
A: reginaldo Sandoval, a parliamentary leader from the Labor Party (PT), has proposed that municipalities across Mexico be required to provide public internet access. This would involve amending Article 115 of the Mexican Constitution.
Q: What changes is Sandoval seeking to make to the Constitution?
A: The proposed changes aim to add public internet service to the list of essential services that municipalities are already mandated to provide.
Q: What other services are municipalities currently required to provide?
A: Municipalities currently provide essential services like clean water, waste collection, drainage, markets, public safety, and cemeteries.
Internet Access as a Human Right in Mexico
Q: Why is Sandoval advocating for this proposal?
A: Sandoval is advocating for this project because