Telecommunications in the Porfirian Era [Porfiriato

Abstract

Communications in the Porfirian era immediately brings to mind the railroads that contributed to bringing Mexico into the modern world, leaving behind the burdens of colonial times and the internal fighting of the nineteenth century. However, there is little information and research on telecommunications during the Porfirian era or Porfiriato although it is precisely at this time when the first telecommunication revolution takes place in Mexico. As the foundations of telecommunications in Mexico are established during the Porfiriato, this articles presents a snapshot of the general situation at the beginning of Porfirio Diaz’s regime, as well as the bases for regulating telegraph and telephone services. All this data will provide the context needed to address the specific and different aspects of telegraphy, telephony and radiotelegraphy discussed in this article.