Mexico City, May 29 (IANS/EFE): Mexico's telecommunications industry grew 12.5 percent in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the same period last year, thanks to surging demand for satellite television, long-distance calling and wireless services, authorities said.

Pay television grew 12.4 percent in the January-March period, compared to the first quarter of 2012, due to competition from new providers that entered the market and offered a broad range of service plans, the Federal Telecommunications Commission, or Cofetel, said.

Satellite television was the most dynamic sector, posting a growth rate of 20.9 percent and reaching 7.1 million subscribers as of March 31.

Cable television grew 4.8 percent and reached 5.97 million subscribers in the first quarter, accounting for 45.2 percent of all pay television customers, the Cofetel said.

Wireless telephone users grew 6.4 percent to 101.7 million, with the penetration rate hitting 86.2 per 100 inhabitants, the commission said.

Mobile data and broadband subscriptions grew 39.4 percent in the first quarter, compared to the same period in 2012, reaching 12 million total connections, the Cofetel said.

Incoming international calling minutes grew 18.8 percent in the January-March period, compared to the first three months of 2012, while outgoing minutes rose just 1.8 percent, the commission said.

Mexico had 20.58 million landlines in service as of March 31, up by 476,000 from the number in service March 31, 2012, with the penetration rate at 17.4 fixed lines per 100 inhabitants, the Cofetel said.

Calling rates continue to drop both in real and nominal terms, thanks to increased competition, the Federal Telecommunications Commission said.