Conference Agenda

At some point, Congress will hopefully become functional again. When it does, it should write a new Communications Act to replace the current outdated one. What has changed since 1996, what are the problems with the current Communications Act, and what policy issues remain that should be addressed?

What has changed since 1996? Internet usage has skyrocketed. Commercial activity on the Internet is now a substantial component of GDP. The number of consumer choices of ISPs has plummeted from thousands to a handful. Communications has moved from wireline telephone to the Internet. Mass media has moved from broadcast tv to the Internet. Video viewing has moved from broadcast tv and cable tv to streaming. Fixed Internet access has moved from dial-up to broadband. Cell phones have progressed from flip phones to smart phones.

What are the problems with the Communications Act? There is no Title that applies directly to the Internet or to video streaming. Title II applies to little other than wireline telephone, which is almost gone. Are there any common carrier services left? Title III applies to radio and broadcast tv, both of which are diminishing in audience. Should Title III protections apply to newer services? Title VI applies to cable tv, which is also losing market share. Should Title VI protections apply to video streaming?

What policy issues remain? The following telecommunication policy issues go back at least 100 years and will remain in the future. Not all network providers have the same motivation to interconnect; refusals to interconnect or high interconnection prices remain. Network providers can earn profit through various types of discrimination; application-specific throttling is a current example. Network infrastructure is costly; natural monopolies lead to high prices. Privacy has long been a concern with network providers; now it is also a concern with application providers. Competition and interoperability of consumer premises equipment is a perennial challenge. Diversity and localism of content has suffered from consolidation; in addition, people have different views of reality depending on where they consume content. Finally, spectrum allocation will continue to be critical; however, auctions don’t reflect the value of unlicensed use.

These changes in the last 30 years, the lack of application of the current Communications Act, and these continuing policy issues call for a new Communications Act.

The use of apps, social media and digital tools for business by women entrepreneurs and micro and small business owners in Mexico City is being promoted; however, the hypothesis is that there are obstacles, risks, and forms of digital violence that affect women in business due to gender.

Among the obstacles are the lack of a personal device and adequate connectivity, as well as the absence of sufficient digital skills to effectively use digital tools. The risks include limited knowledge of and access to digital security practices, as well as digital violence in the form of harassment, abuse, and threats.

One in five women aged 12 or older in Mexico City has experienced cyber harassment in the last 12 months, pursuant to official data. The most common forms include offensive messages, sexual insinuations or proposals, receiving sexual content, contact from false identities, and identity theft. The main reasons reported for cyber harassment against women include just for fun, to obtain financial gains, to intimidat, and due to envy or jealousy.

This ongoing research is a collaborative project between Universidad Panamericana and the Mexico City Secretariat for Women (SeMujeres) within the Women’s Economic Autonomy Program (the Program), which provides financial support to entrepreneurial initiatives and micro and small enterprises, as well as workshops and training courses.

The purpose of this research is to generate knowledge that contributes to the design of public policies that are appropriate and responsive to the realities of women entrepreneurs and micro and small enterprises in Mexico City, recognizing the obstacles, risks, and digital violence that may inhibit or limit women business owners’ access to cyberspace.

Regarding the methodology, in addition to a literature review, a quantitative study is being conducted based on questions incorporated into questionnaires administered to women at the beginning and at the end of the Program, as well as qualitative study with in-depth interviews. Both the quantitative and qualitative studies will address the current and potential use of ICTs for the businesses and work of women participating in the Program, including questions related to cybersecurity and data protection. The Program currently includes more than 500 women from Mexico City.