Billionaire Carlos Slim and technology supplier Qualcomm Inc are teaming up with the launch in Mexico of a low-cost video game console designed for consumers in developing countries.

Mobile telephone operator America Movil , controlled by Slim, will provide Internet access for the wireless Zeebo console, which makes games available through download on its network rather than on DVDs, according to the website of San Diego-based Zeebo Inc.

Zeebo, partly owned by Qualcomm, said its console would be available in Mexican stores later this year.

Launched in Brazil in June, the Zeebo console is geared toward emerging markets like Mexico, where software piracy is rampant and illegal copies of video games for Sony Corp's <6758.T> Playstation and Microsoft Corp's Xbox are sold on the cheap in street markets.

Selling games only as downloads rather than on DVDs is meant to thwart bootleggers, but the companies hope affordable prices will lure buyers from the black market.

America Movil is betting heavily on Internet-oriented products, promoting smartphones and selling cheap laptop computers and modems on monthly payment plans.

Revenues from clients using Internet, text messages and other data services grew 16 percent in the second quarter, despite slumping economies across Latin America.

America Movil, which also sells affordable laptop computers on monthly payment plans, wants to become a main player in providing Internet access, even challenging market heavyweight Telmex , which is also controlled by Slim.

(Reporting by Noel Randewich; Editing by Richard Chang)

Electronics Xbox Qualcomm Sony