Part 2: From the First Call to the Outburst of the Revolution

March 13, 1878 is recognized as the first time telephone communication was realized between two distant points in the Valley of Mexico. Telephone apparatus were connected to the wires of a telegraph line between Coliseo Street, in the center of Mexico City, and the subsidiary of Tlalpan. 

The first telephone call registered in the Mexican annals is permeated by the ingredient of personal communication. The telephone, unlike the telegraph apparatus, permitted the voice of one person to travel along wires to the ear of another person. 

To verify the excitement of this new phenomena of communication in Mexico, the engineer Angel Anquiano, Director of the Astronomical Observatory of Chaputlepex, stated in 1878: "By fortune everything was directed to a satisfactory result ... I called with the bell which was heard and answered immediately. I proceeded to talk with Mr. Westrup, and he answered without anymore interval than needed. I have heard with all clarity everything he told me. Next I have spoken with each and everyone of the employees; with all members of the family of the esteemed Mr. Ortiz; with several visitors who were in the office: the persons who accompanied me, also talked on the telephone; our conversation lasted about an hour and it was an hour of real satisfaction for all."

A few weeks after the above testimony, Mr. Anquiano contributed to the installation of the first telephone line laid between the site of the observatory under his care at the Presidential Residence, and the observatory at the National Palace. Thus the objectives of personal communication were interlocked with the ones of scientific nature and the ones related to the public administration.

As the year 1878 continued, projects leading to the construction of a telephone network began to emerge. This network would interlock principally different governmental branch offices, and enhanced what is referred to as the first period of Porfirionism (named after Mexican general Porfirio Diaz).

Dragging equipment used to transport cable reels in 1908.

The United States recognition of Porfirio Diaz as president of Mexico had political and economical influence on Mexico throughout the end of the 19th century, and into early 20th century. The conditions established by the United States in recognition of the Diaz government brought about feelings of danger to Mexico, especially economically.

Placement of cable ducts for underground telephone system on the 
corner of Uruguay and Isabel La Catolila Streets in Mexico City

Front of the Telefonos Ericsson Company at 53 Victoria Street in Mexico, D.F.

Porfirionism was notably open to European investments, but the first concessions dealing with telecommunication had gone to the technological backing of American Bell Telephone Company; and with the financial support of the Western Electric Company, which took the name Compania Telefonica Mexicana, S.A. It was also known as Mericana or Mextelco. 

As the 20th century began to unfold, along with Mextelco came Ericsson. In 1904 the first grant was permitted to utilize the services of that company. The money which was used to operate Ericsson in Mexico was contributed as follows: *60% contributed by Lars Magnus Ericsson, the Swedish telephone pioneer; *20% contributed by Stockholm's Allmarina Telephone, A.B. *20% contributed by Swedish banker Marcus Wallenburg. The coming of Ericsson to Mexico coincides with the moment in which Porfirio Diaz government verifies that his political promotion of European investment has been exciting. By the end of 1904, English and French investments totaled 56% of foreign capital, while the United States was only 38%.

During the first decade of the 20th century, Ericsson and other telephone companies continued to increase and expand. However, politically, Porfirian peace was substituted by a multitude of inconsistencies which crystallized to an armed movement in which about 70% of the Mexican population died.

This concludes Part 2. Hasta luego.