This article analyzes the development of distance education in Mexico through two axes, the political power and the market which evolve around the technological advances. An approach based on historical periods is offered by the author who first analyzes the development of the distance education system and its main characteristics. The author then goes on with the importance the international organization acquire as they directly affect the local distance education. Finally, the article reflects on the present situation, mostly on the feasibility of the projects developed by the public universities to strengthen and reinforce the sharing of human resources, of knowledge and technology for open and distance education.