The implementation of 5G technology in Chile took a decisive step today. The Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications (MTT), through the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (SUBTEL) received five offers from different companies within the framework of the public spectrum competition for the development of 5G networks.
The companies Entel, Claro, Movistar, WOM and Borealnet made offers. This is the highest number of bidders who have participated in a public spectrum competition in the country, after in 2009 for the bidding of the AWS band two bidders arrived (Nextel and VTR) and in the 2013 process, for the bidding of the 700 MHz and 2,600 MHz bands, three bidders participated (Entel, Movistar and Claro).
Transport and Telecommunications Minister Gloria Hutt said that “the broad interest of the industry in the 5G public competition demonstrates the investment commitment to develop networks in our country that have different telecommunications companies, and also confirms that Chile is an attractive place to invest in this sector. With the opening of the offers of interested operators, we are getting closer to having 5G in the country. This technology will have a powerful impact on people’s quality of life and Chile’s productivity.”
For her part, the Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Pamela Gidi, said that “the telecommunications industry demonstrated from the outset a great interest in this public competition and today has ratified it with these offers received, realizing the importance of this technology for the development of the country’s digital economy, science, academia, entrepreneurship and innovation. That is why as a government we work in a cross-cutting way with the digital ecosystem to ensure a comprehensive and collaborative work so that as a country we take advantage of the economic potential and improvement of the quality of life of our citizens presented to us by the 5G”.
The public competition for the development of 5G networks also considers social considerations, including the obligation to connect 366 locations throughout Chile with 4G technology of maximum speed and capacity in the 700 MHz band, helping to reduce the digital divide.
Wom was the highest bidder in submitting bids at all auctions, while Borealnet put in competitions for the 700 MHz, AWS and 3.5 GHz bands.
The breakthrough in this Borealnet contest struck. According to La Tercera, it is a consortium formed by Business Finland and Rivada Networks.
Business Finland is a Finnish public actor that provides internationalization and innovation financing services, as well as promoting tourism and investment in Finland. The organization employs 600 experts in 40 locations worldwide and 16 locations in Finland.
After this milestone the next step will be the resolution of the contest, which will be announced in February 2021.
