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CHILE TO BECOME FIRST LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRY TO DEPLOY 4G MOBILE

January 29th, 2010

The most recent advancement in high-speed internet connection was tested on computers at the Universidad de Chile’s Department of Physical Sciences and Mathematics. The Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fourth generation (4G) technology has a faster wireless connection than the current broadband (3G) used in most of Chile.

Chile is the first country in Latin America to try out the 4G technology, which had previously only been tested in countries leading the world in technological advancement: Sweden, Norway, Japan and the U.S.

LTE does not require the use of cables and achieves exceptional connection speeds.

To make 4G internet connection widely available in Chile, the government must open discussion on how to apply the technology and assure that there’s room for possible upcoming advancements. How to achieve these goals involve decisions that President-elect Sebastián Piñera and his administration will have to make, said National Telecommunications secretary Pablo Bello.

Source: Santiago Times

CHILE PLANS 4G AUCTIONS IN MARCH 2011

28 May 2010

Chilean regulator Subtel is to auction frequencies for 4G broadband internet services in 2011.

The Chilean government is currently looking to sell 900 megahertz and will consider auctioning 2.3 gigahertz at a later date. The telecom regulator, Subtel, had previously proposed to auction 2.6 gigahertz for LTE services.

The 2.3 gigahertz band was initially sold to a Chilean start up, Inverca Telecom, in 2009. Inverca was responsible for setting up a rural broadband project for the government, using WiMax technology.

The start up company, however, faced difficulties in securing funds and in December 2009 gave up its licence. The project was then handed over to Chilean mobile operator, Entel, which is developing the initiative using 3G technology.

Source: GTB

LTE SPECTRUM AUCTION IN CHILE TO BE HELD IN 2011

28may10

Member of the Chilean government expect to auction off spectrum space for LTE in 2011. The regulator Subtel, expected to hold a 4G auction in 2010 The delay is because of the slower development of the technology and cleaning up the 2.6GHz frequency range.

EntelPCS tested LTE at the Universidad de Chile, reaching maximum download speeds of 50Mbps. The LTE trial equipment was provided by Ericsson.The country hasn’t held an auction for WiMAX space yet. This auction would be the first 4G auction in Chile. Regulators hope to have a LTE network set up by 2012.

There’s a great opportunity for operators to set up 4G in Chile. The service must be reasonably priced and available to all Chileans. Operators will also have the unique opportunity to provide high speed internet to remote places in Chile.

Source: goinglte.com