Chile’s leading telecoms operator Entel reached 40% of the first phase of its 5G network roll-out, having activated the service in 62 communities in nine regions of the country.
Entel has around 400,000 clients with a 5G-compatible phone, of which 200,000 have already connected to the company’s 5G network, local paper Diario Financiero quoted regulation and corporate affairs manager Manuel Araya as saying.
Regulator Subtel said the country registered around 450,000 5G users by end-February.
The first phase of Entel's 5G deployment comprises 1,094 antennas, equivalent to 80% of the overall project.
Entel previously announced it earmarked US$230mn for 5G investments over three years, starting in 2021.
The company won spectrum in the 3.5GHz band, the prime 5G one, in the auction in February 2021. Other winners were Movistar and WOM.
The tender provided a two-year period for the companies to cover 90% of the territory with 5G.
This means, by November 2023, 9,000 radio base stations or antennas must be installed throughout the country.
In addition to Entel, WOM and Movistar also announced they switched on their 5G networks after the due authorizations came through.
Movistar committed to having a 5G presence in all 16 regions of the country by the end of March, deploying 1,500 base stations.
Movistar was awarded five 10MHz blocks in the 3.5GHz band for 5G, paying 117bn pesos (US$150mn), submitting the highest bid.
WOM and Entel were awarded 50MHz in the 3.5 GHz band, for which they respectively paid 32bn pesos and 100bn pesos.
WOM, Entel and Claro also acquired spectrum in the 26GHz band.
Claro confirmed to BNamericas that it is also starting to roll out its 5G network in the country, with a focus on B2B services.
Source: https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/chiles-entel-reports-40-progress-in-first-phase-of-5g-roll-out