Located more than 3,500 kilometers from the mainland, Rapa Nui has had access to telecommunications services since the 1960s, thanks to the investment and technological innovations made by Entel.
It was in 1966 when the company installed the first single channel to make fixed calls, and in 1990 the first digital satellite link, which allowed the subsequent development of new mobile technologies, such as 2G, 3G and 4G. Then, in 2020, an increase in capacity was achieved in the latter network, responding to the requirements and challenges brought about by the pandemic in terms of connectivity.
This story scored a new milestone in June last year, when the first antenna with 5G technology was installed on the island, further strengthening Rapa Nui’s communication with the world, since this innovation resulted in concrete contributions to shorten the digital gap and played an active role in the challenge of achieving an inclusive digitization with the environment, by using technology in daily life and business, so that no one is left out of this evolution.
Sustainability as a priority pillar
Along with local advances in technological connectivity, Entel has embraced sustainability as a fundamental pillar, developing different initiatives on the island. “Entel’s commitment to Rapa Nui transcends what is related to bringing available technology to the community and connecting them with the mainland and the world. We are also committed so that the island can advance firmly and steadily over time to become an international reference, not only in environmental terms, but also in social terms”, explained Entel’s Sustainability and Communications Manager, Francisca Florenzano.
For example, Entel has promoted important electronic waste recycling campaigns, in which everything is collected, from cell phones to unused household appliances, in order to avoid them ending up in landfills. The last campaign, conducted in collaboration between the municipality of Rapa Nui, Entel and the recycling company Midas Chile, managed to collect almost 9 tons of electronic waste, which are being properly processed and converted into raw material.
On the other hand, the gradual shutdown of the 2G network in Rapa Nui is another step in this direction, fostering the use of more advanced technologies and making it easier for people to update their devices. Thus, during January, it carried out a free replacement plan for customers with devices that only had access to that network..
Likewise, other initiatives to strengthen the relationship with the community of the island stand out, from its participation in the construction of the first Rapa Nui Music and Arts School in 2014 - which is 100% sustainable - to the creation of “Yo Leo Rapa Nui” (in English “I Read Rapa Nui”) in 2016, a project that provided tablets with content to promote reading in their language, to rescue and keep it alive. Then, in 2018, the company sponsored and invested in improved connectivity at the First Summit of Local Governments for Climate Change, enabling live broadcasts worldwide. Added to this is the annual sponsorship of the Tapati cultural celebration, the most relevant in its calendar and which Entel has constantly fostered since its beginnings 58 years ago, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to this territory.
The story of Entel and Rapa Nui is a testimony of how technology and sustainability can converge to build a better future. Beyond challenges, this connection continues to grow and show the benefits of public-private collaboration, which has built a lasting alliance that transcends borders.
30 Ene, 2024
Located more than 3,500 kilometers from the mainland, Rapa Nui has had access to telecommunications services since the 1960s, thanks to the investment and technological innovations made by Entel.
It was in 1966 when the company installed the first single channel to make fixed calls, and in 1990 the first digital satellite link, which allowed the subsequent development of new mobile technologies, such as 2G, 3G and 4G. Then, in 2020, an increase in capacity was achieved in the latter network, responding to the requirements and challenges brought about by the pandemic in terms of connectivity.
This story scored a new milestone in June last year, when the first antenna with 5G technology was installed on the island, further strengthening Rapa Nui’s communication with the world, since this innovation resulted in concrete contributions to shorten the digital gap and played an active role in the challenge of achieving an inclusive digitization with the environment, by using technology in daily life and business, so that no one is left out of this evolution.
Sustainability as a priority pillar
Along with local advances in technological connectivity, Entel has embraced sustainability as a fundamental pillar, developing different initiatives on the island. “Entel’s commitment to Rapa Nui transcends what is related to bringing available technology to the community and connecting them with the mainland and the world. We are also committed so that the island can advance firmly and steadily over time to become an international reference, not only in environmental terms, but also in social terms”, explained Entel’s Sustainability and Communications Manager, Francisca Florenzano.
For example, Entel has promoted important electronic waste recycling campaigns, in which everything is collected, from cell phones to unused household appliances, in order to avoid them ending up in landfills. The last campaign, conducted in collaboration between the municipality of Rapa Nui, Entel and the recycling company Midas Chile, managed to collect almost 9 tons of electronic waste, which are being properly processed and converted into raw material.
On the other hand, the gradual shutdown of the 2G network in Rapa Nui is another step in this direction, fostering the use of more advanced technologies and making it easier for people to update their devices. Thus, during January, it carried out a free replacement plan for customers with devices that only had access to that network..
Likewise, other initiatives to strengthen the relationship with the community of the island stand out, from its participation in the construction of the first Rapa Nui Music and Arts School in 2014 - which is 100% sustainable - to the creation of “Yo Leo Rapa Nui” (in English “I Read Rapa Nui”) in 2016, a project that provided tablets with content to promote reading in their language, to rescue and keep it alive. Then, in 2018, the company sponsored and invested in improved connectivity at the First Summit of Local Governments for Climate Change, enabling live broadcasts worldwide. Added to this is the annual sponsorship of the Tapati cultural celebration, the most relevant in its calendar and which Entel has constantly fostered since its beginnings 58 years ago, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to this territory.
The story of Entel and Rapa Nui is a testimony of how technology and sustainability can converge to build a better future. Beyond challenges, this connection continues to grow and show the benefits of public-private collaboration, which has built a lasting alliance that transcends borders.
Located more than 3,500 kilometers from the mainland, Rapa Nui has had access to telecommunications services since the 1960s, thanks to the investment and technological innovations made by Entel.
It was in 1966 when the company installed the first single channel to make fixed calls, and in 1990 the first digital satellite link, which allowed the subsequent development of new mobile technologies, such as 2G, 3G and 4G. Then, in 2020, an increase in capacity was achieved in the latter network, responding to the requirements and challenges brought about by the pandemic in terms of connectivity.
This story scored a new milestone in June last year, when the first antenna with 5G technology was installed on the island, further strengthening Rapa Nui’s communication with the world, since this innovation resulted in concrete contributions to shorten the digital gap and played an active role in the challenge of achieving an inclusive digitization with the environment, by using technology in daily life and business, so that no one is left out of this evolution.
Sustainability as a priority pillar
Along with local advances in technological connectivity, Entel has embraced sustainability as a fundamental pillar, developing different initiatives on the island. “Entel’s commitment to Rapa Nui transcends what is related to bringing available technology to the community and connecting them with the mainland and the world. We are also committed so that the island can advance firmly and steadily over time to become an international reference, not only in environmental terms, but also in social terms”, explained Entel’s Sustainability and Communications Manager, Francisca Florenzano.
For example, Entel has promoted important electronic waste recycling campaigns, in which everything is collected, from cell phones to unused household appliances, in order to avoid them ending up in landfills. The last campaign, conducted in collaboration between the municipality of Rapa Nui, Entel and the recycling company Midas Chile, managed to collect almost 9 tons of electronic waste, which are being properly processed and converted into raw material.
On the other hand, the gradual shutdown of the 2G network in Rapa Nui is another step in this direction, fostering the use of more advanced technologies and making it easier for people to update their devices. Thus, during January, it carried out a free replacement plan for customers with devices that only had access to that network..
Likewise, other initiatives to strengthen the relationship with the community of the island stand out, from its participation in the construction of the first Rapa Nui Music and Arts School in 2014 - which is 100% sustainable - to the creation of “Yo Leo Rapa Nui” (in English “I Read Rapa Nui”) in 2016, a project that provided tablets with content to promote reading in their language, to rescue and keep it alive. Then, in 2018, the company sponsored and invested in improved connectivity at the First Summit of Local Governments for Climate Change, enabling live broadcasts worldwide. Added to this is the annual sponsorship of the Tapati cultural celebration, the most relevant in its calendar and which Entel has constantly fostered since its beginnings 58 years ago, demonstrating the company’s ongoing commitment to this territory.
The story of Entel and Rapa Nui is a testimony of how technology and sustainability can converge to build a better future. Beyond challenges, this connection continues to grow and show the benefits of public-private collaboration, which has built a lasting alliance that transcends borders.