American TeleSource Acclaimed asNAFTA Success Story; Chairman Smith to Participate in Briefing WithU.S. Senator Phil Gramm
August 5, 1999 03:22 PM
SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 5, 1999--American TeleSource International Inc. AMTI ("ATSI") announced today that it has been recognized as one of NAFTA's success stories, based on a study commissioned by The Texas Public Policy Foundation.
Arthur L. Smith, ATSI's chairman and CEO, will join U.S. Senator Phil Gramm, Jose Martinez of the Free Trade Alliance San Antonio and representatives from the Consulado General de Mexico and the Canadian Consular General in an unveiling of the study, examining the effects of NAFTA after five years.
The general public and their families are welcome to attend the briefing on Sunday, Aug. 8, 1999, at 2:50 p.m. The details of the press conference follow:
Plaza San Antonio Hotel, Conference Room B, Conference Center
(Formerly the German American School)
555 South Alamo Street, San Antonio, Texas
Smith stated, "ATSI is extremely honored to receive this recognition. Our Company was also started nearly five years ago, and NAFTA, along with the deregulation of the telecommunications industry in Mexico, have played key roles in our success. We have had to overcome high barriers to entry, secure key licenses and agreements and develop an extensive retail distribution presence to be successful in Mexico.
"We currently employ 485 Mexican citizens along with approximately 100 employees in San Antonio. ATSI is continuing its commitment to contribute to improvements in the communications infrastructure in this multi-billion dollar underserved market."
ATSI is one of the few companies operating in Mexico that has been able to secure the necessary licenses to carry communications services between and within Mexico and the United States. These licenses include 1) a 20-year long distance resale license, 2) a 15-year satellite and teleport network license, 3) a 20-year packet switching network license and 4) a value-added services (Internet) permit. The Mexican government no longer grants the satellite and network licenses.
ATSI has an extensive retail distribution system throughout Mexico. It is the largest owner and operator of public calling centers "casetas" in Mexico, including 127 locations in 66 Mexican cities. ATSI's closest competitor operates approximately 70 locations. ATSI owns nearly 750 public pay telephones, which contribute to ATSI's presence in the tourist areas of Mexico.
Copies of the NAFTA study will be available after the press conference by calling The Texas Public Policy Foundation in San Antonio, Texas, at 210/614-0080, and can be downloaded at www.tppf.org.
American TeleSource International Inc. is an emerging international carrier serving certain niche telecommunications markets in and between Latin America and the United States. ATSI's borderless strategy includes the deployment of a "next generation" ATM network for more efficient and cost effective service offerings of voice and data transport. The Company has clear advantages over the competition through its corporate framework consisting of unique licenses, interconnection and service agreements, network footprint and extensive distribution channels.
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