Mexico Seeks to Rein In Telmex

A new front in Mexico's longstanding battle to regulate its corporate titans began Tuesday when the country's telephone regulator issued rules that could force former telephone monopoly Teléfonos de México SAB to face greater competition. Under the rules, Telmex, as the company is called, would have to provide rivals with easier and cheaper access to its network, which covers 90% of Mexicans who own a phone line. That could help lower prices for consumers and businesses and make Mexico's economy more competitive. The company will challenge the regulations in court. Telmex rivals welcomed the new regulations.