International Business

MCI Wins Mexico Telecom Concession: The U.S. company and its Mexican partner, Banamex-Accival, were awarded the first long-distance telecommunications concession given out by the Mexican government to compete against current monopoly holder Telefonos de Mexico. Avantel, as the joint venture is known, will install its own infrastructure in at least 34 Mexican cities by April 1, 1997, the Communications and Transport Ministry said in a statement. Avantel will be able to provide national and international long-distance telephone service after Aug. 11, 1996, the earliest date under Mexican law from which other companies may compete with Telefonos de Mexico. Telmex was privatized by the Mexican government in late 1990 and has continued to enjoy a monopoly.