Mexico orders America Movil to sell unlocked phones

Latin America's largest phone company, America Movil, will have to sell its mobile phones "unlocked" in Mexico so that they can be used with other operators' networks, Mexico's telecom watchdog said.

Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Institute last month said America Movil, controlled by billionaire businessman Carlos Slim, is a dominant phone company and so subject to tougher rules designed to level the playing field for smaller competitors.

America Movil customers who pay in full for their phones either as part of a contract or for pre-paid services will now receive unlocked phones, according to the regulator's statement.

Source: Reuters