Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes

The Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes (SCT) is the federal agency responsible for regulating and overseeing Mexico’s transportation and communications sectors. It issues permits, license plates, and driver’s licenses for commercial truck operators, and it manages the planning, construction, and maintenance of national highways, railways, ports, and airports. In the communications domain, the SCT allocates radio spectrum, supervises telecommunications providers, and coordinates national postal services. The agency also develops policies aimed at improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability across all modes of transport and information exchange.

Operating throughout the entire Mexican Republic, the SCT works in close coordination with state and municipal authorities to ensure that infrastructure projects meet national standards and serve both urban and rural populations. Its reach extends to millions of users who rely on the transportation network for personal travel and freight movement, as well as to businesses that depend on reliable communications services. While specific personnel numbers or budget figures are not provided in the source material, the agency’s nationwide mandate implies a substantial operational footprint that touches every region of the country.

A distinguishing feature of the SCT is its dual mandate over both transport and communications, a combination that is uncommon among governmental bodies and allows it to address interconnected challenges such as smart‑transport systems and digital infrastructure resilience. The agency’s contingency planning was highlighted during the October 2022 cyberattack, when it suspended issuing permits and licenses while activating established response protocols, confirming that no permanent system damage or personal data loss occurred. Additionally, in August 2015 the SCT’s website was targeted by the hacktivist group Anonymous in protest of a journalist’s murder, demonstrating its visibility in cyber‑security incidents and its role as a focal point for public‑sector digital assets.

Structurally, the SCT is a secretariat within the federal executive branch of the Mexican government, reporting directly to the President of Mexico. It is not a privately owned enterprise nor a subsidiary of another organization; instead, it comprises various undersecretariats and directorates that focus on specific modalities such as land transport, maritime affairs, aviation, and telecommunications. This governmental status ensures that its funding, authority, and accountability derive from the national budget and legislative oversight, reinforcing its function as a core institution for Mexico’s infrastructure and communications policy.