Televisa to Acquire Sky, Samsung Strike: Tech Roundup

Mexico's Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) approved Grupo Televisa's acquisition of 41% of Sky Mexico, greenlighting the merger of Izzi and Sky. Meanwhile, AT&T cautioned that the IFT’s spectrum auction may limit 5G business opportunities by allowing non-telecom entities to acquire spectrum.

Internationally, the GSMA reported that Latin America's radio spectrum is 40% pricier than the global average. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics faced its first-ever strike in South Korea. Lastly, Apple unveiled advanced AI features and updates at WWDC 2024, including Apple Intelligence and significant Siri improvements.

Ready? This is your Week in Tech!

Mexico

Televisa Gets IFT Green Light to Merge Izzi and Sky

The IFT authorized Grupo Televisa to acquire 41% of Sky Mexico, facilitating the merger of Izzi and Sky's operations and strengthening Televisa's position in the sector.

Following this move, the combined entity will represent 58% of the pay-TV market and 24.7% of the fixed Internet market. It will also enable Televisa to offer “quadruple play” plans, integrating fixed Internet, pay TV, mobile telephony through its Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), and the ViX streaming service.

AT&T Warns IFT Spectrum Auction Could Undermine 5G Business Opportunities

AT&T has expressed concerns that the Instituto Federal de Telecomunicaciones' (IFT) upcoming spectrum auction, IFT-12, will hinder their ability to capitalize on private 5G networks by allowing non-telecom companies to acquire spectrum pieces for their own private networks, potentially limiting telecom operators' business opportunities and degrading service quality due to increased spectrum interference.

International

Latin America's Radio Spectrum 40% Pricier Than Average: GSMA

The radioelectric spectrum in Latin America is 40% more expensive than in other regions, negatively impacting network quality, internet connection speeds, and the sustainability of the telecommunications sector, according to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSMA).

Samsung Experiences Historic Worker Strike in South Korea

Samsung Electronics is experiencing its first strike in the tech giant's 55-year history in South Korea, with approximately 28,000 workers participating.

"We are declaring a strike in the face of the company’s neglect of laborers," a spokesperson for the Nationwide Samsung Electronics Union stated during a live streamed news conference. Son Woomok, a union leader, emphasized the need for transparent performance evaluation systems, stating that "the company is not hearing us and they are not communicating from our last negotiation session."

Apple Unveils Advanced AI Features and Major Updates at WWDC 2024

At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced Apple Intelligence, a suite of advanced AI features, alongside a significant Siri makeover to enhance user interaction. The event also showcased Vision Pro updates, iOS 18 customization options, and new developer tools, all emphasizing practical AI integration and maintaining Apple's commitment to privacy and user-centric design.