Two months before the deadline for the public tender, Entel became the first operator to complete 100% deployment of the first stage of its 5G network nationwide. With this, there are already 270 communes, located between Arica and Puerto Williams, which have this fifth generation technology, in the context of a total investment of US $350 million announced for the period 2021 to 2023, which will allow it to respond to the important telecommunications infrastructure requirements demanded by this new technology.
It should be recalled that the technology and telecommunications company launched its 5G commercial operation eight months ago, on December 16, 2021, with 33 enabled communes and 47,500 customers, initially.
According to the company, the penetration of the technology in the product mix has been faster in adoption than what happened at the time with 3G to 4G, and so far this year the sale of 5G equipment has reached predominant shares over those of 4G. Thus, currently more than 50% of the smartphones sold by Entel are compatible with this new technology, which means that it already has more than 820 thousand customers (individuals, companies and corporations) that can access this service in those communes that already have 5G coverage, and that around 620 thousand users connect monthly to this fifth generation network.
“Our commitment has always been to bring 5G closer to the greatest number of Chileans and in this first stage we made an important effort to complete the deployment in the shortest possible time. However, as we have pointed out from the beginning, the technological evolution posed by this new technology will be seen gradually, to the extent that the network we are currently deploying is consolidated. It will not only allow a substantial increase in speed, but will also make it possible to expand the mobile networks to support a large number of devices and services, connecting new industries, with better performance, efficiency and costs", said Manuel Araya, Entel’s Manager of Regulation and Corporate Affairs.
In this line, he informed that the second phase of deployment, which will begin to be executed within the next few weeks, considers reaching with 5G to more than 300 sites of interest determined in the bidding process. These correspond to public properties among which there are 199 public hospitals, 24 ministries, 16 intendancies, 15 airports or aerodromes, 25 universities, 19 seaports and seven places of scientific interest. According to the company, this stage will allow a more specific use of this new technology, both in industrial sectors, health, smart cities and developments that contribute to these areas.
In addition to the higher speed and lower latency, one of the main differentiating elements of 5G is that it is an enabler of other technologies, explained Entel. “It will allow the coexistence of a technological ecosystem, especially at the industrial level and around smart cities, with which in the medium and long term we will be able to have safer transportation and less road congestion; intelligent management of resources in health, education and business; HD and 4K voice and video connectivity, almost in real time, and the rapid operation of remote commands in devices and machinery, to mention just some of its benefits”, detailed the executive.
Improvements in connectivity
The advances in the 5G network are in addition to important investments that Entel has made in recent years with the aim of strengthening connectivity throughout the country. In fact, at the last Shareholders’ Meeting it announced that in 2022 alone it would invest US $128 million in its 4G network, with a strong focus on regions and rural areas. These investments have allowed Entel to be the leader and support 37% of mobile internet traffic nationwide.
In addition, it is considering an investment of US $106 million in the deployment of its fiber optic network during 2022. To date, 17 new communes have been added to its fiber optic home service offering, including Machalí, La Serena and Concepción, and it already has the capacity to provide connectivity to 850 thousand homes with this service.
“Both networks, 4G and Fiber Optics, are fundamental for the initial development of the fifth generation network, as 5G requires a very demanding network topology for data transmission, in terms of providing higher speeds and very low latency, so the sites must be connected with fiber optics. In addition, we understand the importance of digital inclusion and these investments are part of the commitment we made as a company to bring this technology to all Chileans", said Araya.
17 Ago, 2022
Two months before the deadline for the public tender, Entel became the first operator to complete 100% deployment of the first stage of its 5G network nationwide. With this, there are already 270 communes, located between Arica and Puerto Williams, which have this fifth generation technology, in the context of a total investment of US $350 million announced for the period 2021 to 2023, which will allow it to respond to the important telecommunications infrastructure requirements demanded by this new technology.
It should be recalled that the technology and telecommunications company launched its 5G commercial operation eight months ago, on December 16, 2021, with 33 enabled communes and 47,500 customers, initially.
According to the company, the penetration of the technology in the product mix has been faster in adoption than what happened at the time with 3G to 4G, and so far this year the sale of 5G equipment has reached predominant shares over those of 4G. Thus, currently more than 50% of the smartphones sold by Entel are compatible with this new technology, which means that it already has more than 820 thousand customers (individuals, companies and corporations) that can access this service in those communes that already have 5G coverage, and that around 620 thousand users connect monthly to this fifth generation network.
“Our commitment has always been to bring 5G closer to the greatest number of Chileans and in this first stage we made an important effort to complete the deployment in the shortest possible time. However, as we have pointed out from the beginning, the technological evolution posed by this new technology will be seen gradually, to the extent that the network we are currently deploying is consolidated. It will not only allow a substantial increase in speed, but will also make it possible to expand the mobile networks to support a large number of devices and services, connecting new industries, with better performance, efficiency and costs", said Manuel Araya, Entel’s Manager of Regulation and Corporate Affairs.
In this line, he informed that the second phase of deployment, which will begin to be executed within the next few weeks, considers reaching with 5G to more than 300 sites of interest determined in the bidding process. These correspond to public properties among which there are 199 public hospitals, 24 ministries, 16 intendancies, 15 airports or aerodromes, 25 universities, 19 seaports and seven places of scientific interest. According to the company, this stage will allow a more specific use of this new technology, both in industrial sectors, health, smart cities and developments that contribute to these areas.
In addition to the higher speed and lower latency, one of the main differentiating elements of 5G is that it is an enabler of other technologies, explained Entel. “It will allow the coexistence of a technological ecosystem, especially at the industrial level and around smart cities, with which in the medium and long term we will be able to have safer transportation and less road congestion; intelligent management of resources in health, education and business; HD and 4K voice and video connectivity, almost in real time, and the rapid operation of remote commands in devices and machinery, to mention just some of its benefits”, detailed the executive.
Improvements in connectivity
The advances in the 5G network are in addition to important investments that Entel has made in recent years with the aim of strengthening connectivity throughout the country. In fact, at the last Shareholders’ Meeting it announced that in 2022 alone it would invest US $128 million in its 4G network, with a strong focus on regions and rural areas. These investments have allowed Entel to be the leader and support 37% of mobile internet traffic nationwide.
In addition, it is considering an investment of US $106 million in the deployment of its fiber optic network during 2022. To date, 17 new communes have been added to its fiber optic home service offering, including Machalí, La Serena and Concepción, and it already has the capacity to provide connectivity to 850 thousand homes with this service.
“Both networks, 4G and Fiber Optics, are fundamental for the initial development of the fifth generation network, as 5G requires a very demanding network topology for data transmission, in terms of providing higher speeds and very low latency, so the sites must be connected with fiber optics. In addition, we understand the importance of digital inclusion and these investments are part of the commitment we made as a company to bring this technology to all Chileans", said Araya.
Two months before the deadline for the public tender, Entel became the first operator to complete 100% deployment of the first stage of its 5G network nationwide. With this, there are already 270 communes, located between Arica and Puerto Williams, which have this fifth generation technology, in the context of a total investment of US $350 million announced for the period 2021 to 2023, which will allow it to respond to the important telecommunications infrastructure requirements demanded by this new technology.
It should be recalled that the technology and telecommunications company launched its 5G commercial operation eight months ago, on December 16, 2021, with 33 enabled communes and 47,500 customers, initially.
According to the company, the penetration of the technology in the product mix has been faster in adoption than what happened at the time with 3G to 4G, and so far this year the sale of 5G equipment has reached predominant shares over those of 4G. Thus, currently more than 50% of the smartphones sold by Entel are compatible with this new technology, which means that it already has more than 820 thousand customers (individuals, companies and corporations) that can access this service in those communes that already have 5G coverage, and that around 620 thousand users connect monthly to this fifth generation network.
“Our commitment has always been to bring 5G closer to the greatest number of Chileans and in this first stage we made an important effort to complete the deployment in the shortest possible time. However, as we have pointed out from the beginning, the technological evolution posed by this new technology will be seen gradually, to the extent that the network we are currently deploying is consolidated. It will not only allow a substantial increase in speed, but will also make it possible to expand the mobile networks to support a large number of devices and services, connecting new industries, with better performance, efficiency and costs", said Manuel Araya, Entel’s Manager of Regulation and Corporate Affairs.
In this line, he informed that the second phase of deployment, which will begin to be executed within the next few weeks, considers reaching with 5G to more than 300 sites of interest determined in the bidding process. These correspond to public properties among which there are 199 public hospitals, 24 ministries, 16 intendancies, 15 airports or aerodromes, 25 universities, 19 seaports and seven places of scientific interest. According to the company, this stage will allow a more specific use of this new technology, both in industrial sectors, health, smart cities and developments that contribute to these areas.
In addition to the higher speed and lower latency, one of the main differentiating elements of 5G is that it is an enabler of other technologies, explained Entel. “It will allow the coexistence of a technological ecosystem, especially at the industrial level and around smart cities, with which in the medium and long term we will be able to have safer transportation and less road congestion; intelligent management of resources in health, education and business; HD and 4K voice and video connectivity, almost in real time, and the rapid operation of remote commands in devices and machinery, to mention just some of its benefits”, detailed the executive.
Improvements in connectivity
The advances in the 5G network are in addition to important investments that Entel has made in recent years with the aim of strengthening connectivity throughout the country. In fact, at the last Shareholders’ Meeting it announced that in 2022 alone it would invest US $128 million in its 4G network, with a strong focus on regions and rural areas. These investments have allowed Entel to be the leader and support 37% of mobile internet traffic nationwide.
In addition, it is considering an investment of US $106 million in the deployment of its fiber optic network during 2022. To date, 17 new communes have been added to its fiber optic home service offering, including Machalí, La Serena and Concepción, and it already has the capacity to provide connectivity to 850 thousand homes with this service.
“Both networks, 4G and Fiber Optics, are fundamental for the initial development of the fifth generation network, as 5G requires a very demanding network topology for data transmission, in terms of providing higher speeds and very low latency, so the sites must be connected with fiber optics. In addition, we understand the importance of digital inclusion and these investments are part of the commitment we made as a company to bring this technology to all Chileans", said Araya.