The beginning of the telecommunications industry in Chile is marked by the largest earthquake in history. On Sunday, May 22, 1960, Chile was shaken by a 9.5 magnitude earthquake, leaving 2 million people homeless.
This catastrophe highlighted the need for a telecommunications system that would allow Chileans to communicate with each other and with the world, giving rise to an industry that 60 years later has been consolidated by innovation and technological advances.
Entel's new website “60 years with you”, which celebrates the company's anniversary, brings together decade by decade the different milestones that have marked its history and that of telecommunications in Chile. These are the six most relevant ones.
1960s: a star is born
In addition to being the decade in which the deployment of nationwide connectivity began, in 1968 Entel inaugurated Longovilo, the first satellite station in Latin America, a ceremony that was led by President Eduardo Frei Montalva. Thanks to this, in 1969 Chile was the only country in the region to see the live transmission of the arrival of man on the Moon.
70's: the icon of connectivity rises
In 1970, construction began on the Entel Tower, a project that was beginning to rise as a symbol of the advance of telephony and connectivity. Four years later, this architectural landmark was inaugurated, which to this day is an icon of Santiago's modernity. With its 27.35 meters high, it was, until 1992, the tallest building in the city.
During the 1970s, important advances were also made: Chiloé was connected by microwave; the cities of Tacna and Arica were connected; on the southern border, the cities of Punta Arenas and Río Gallegos and Puerto Williams and Río Grande were connected; and the country's second satellite station was inaugurated in Punta Arenas.
Decade of the 80s: let's open a bottle of champagne
In 1984, the computer science departments of the University of Chile and the University of Santiago were able to communicate through the first e-mail sent from our country. The message read: “If this e-mail reaches you, let's open a bottle of champagne”.
The decade closed with the commercialization of mobile telephony. People could choose between a suitcase (the battery) with a handset; a slightly more “compact” model designed to be carried in the car and, finally, a one-piece, vertical device with an antenna. None weighed less than 800 grams.
The 90's: Internet arrives in Chile
It could be said that in 1992, the Internet was made. That year, the first data package was sent from Chile to the United States through satellite services provided by Entel. This milestone marked Chile's connection to the Internet for mostly academic use. The following year, the first Chilean web site was created: www.dcc.uchile.cl, which, in fact, still works today. In order to navigate, it was necessary to connect via telephone to the United States at a speed of 64 Kbps.
A new century: the era of social networks
With the massification of cell phones, access to the Internet and the beginning of the commercialization of WiFi, Facebook burst onto the scene in 2004, forever changing the way people get information, express their opinions and communicate. The great era of social networks through the Internet was strengthened with the arrival of YouTube in 2005, Twitter in 2006, WhatsApp in 2009 and Instagram in 2010.
At that time, many may remember the arrival of Blackberry, the first phone to become popular with a qwerty keyboard. With that, Entel offered its customers a revolutionary service: accessing email and also surfing the Internet. Thus, in 2003, Chile was the first country in Latin America to launch the 3G mobile telephony network, a technology that represented a quantum leap in terms of access, stability and security of the Internet connection.
2010: the earthquake that once again changes the industry
As in 1960, the devastating earthquake that occurred in the central and southern part of the country on February 27 once again highlighted the critical and strategic importance of telecommunications. Based on this new learning, work began to significantly increase the capacity of SMS messages in the event of catastrophic events, strengthen the capacity of the critical network mobile sites throughout the country and implement the alert messaging system to warn citizens in case of emergencies. These advances are still present today, reinforcing the role of telecommunications in emergency support.
“The compilation of historical facts linked to society and telecommunications leads us to reflect on how the way we communicate has evolved. In the context of our 60th anniversary, I remain convinced that the future is built with history, and revisiting these moments motivates us to continue transforming people's lives responsibly” , explained Entel's general manager, Antonio Buchi.
Through images, videos and testimonials, users will be able to learn in detail about these and other milestones that have transformed the way in which Chileans connect.
28 Nov, 2024
The beginning of the telecommunications industry in Chile is marked by the largest earthquake in history. On Sunday, May 22, 1960, Chile was shaken by a 9.5 magnitude earthquake, leaving 2 million people homeless.
This catastrophe highlighted the need for a telecommunications system that would allow Chileans to communicate with each other and with the world, giving rise to an industry that 60 years later has been consolidated by innovation and technological advances.
Entel's new website “60 years with you”, which celebrates the company's anniversary, brings together decade by decade the different milestones that have marked its history and that of telecommunications in Chile. These are the six most relevant ones.
1960s: a star is born
In addition to being the decade in which the deployment of nationwide connectivity began, in 1968 Entel inaugurated Longovilo, the first satellite station in Latin America, a ceremony that was led by President Eduardo Frei Montalva. Thanks to this, in 1969 Chile was the only country in the region to see the live transmission of the arrival of man on the Moon.
70's: the icon of connectivity rises
In 1970, construction began on the Entel Tower, a project that was beginning to rise as a symbol of the advance of telephony and connectivity. Four years later, this architectural landmark was inaugurated, which to this day is an icon of Santiago's modernity. With its 27.35 meters high, it was, until 1992, the tallest building in the city.
During the 1970s, important advances were also made: Chiloé was connected by microwave; the cities of Tacna and Arica were connected; on the southern border, the cities of Punta Arenas and Río Gallegos and Puerto Williams and Río Grande were connected; and the country's second satellite station was inaugurated in Punta Arenas.
Decade of the 80s: let's open a bottle of champagne
In 1984, the computer science departments of the University of Chile and the University of Santiago were able to communicate through the first e-mail sent from our country. The message read: “If this e-mail reaches you, let's open a bottle of champagne”.
The decade closed with the commercialization of mobile telephony. People could choose between a suitcase (the battery) with a handset; a slightly more “compact” model designed to be carried in the car and, finally, a one-piece, vertical device with an antenna. None weighed less than 800 grams.
The 90's: Internet arrives in Chile
It could be said that in 1992, the Internet was made. That year, the first data package was sent from Chile to the United States through satellite services provided by Entel. This milestone marked Chile's connection to the Internet for mostly academic use. The following year, the first Chilean web site was created: www.dcc.uchile.cl, which, in fact, still works today. In order to navigate, it was necessary to connect via telephone to the United States at a speed of 64 Kbps.
A new century: the era of social networks
With the massification of cell phones, access to the Internet and the beginning of the commercialization of WiFi, Facebook burst onto the scene in 2004, forever changing the way people get information, express their opinions and communicate. The great era of social networks through the Internet was strengthened with the arrival of YouTube in 2005, Twitter in 2006, WhatsApp in 2009 and Instagram in 2010.
At that time, many may remember the arrival of Blackberry, the first phone to become popular with a qwerty keyboard. With that, Entel offered its customers a revolutionary service: accessing email and also surfing the Internet. Thus, in 2003, Chile was the first country in Latin America to launch the 3G mobile telephony network, a technology that represented a quantum leap in terms of access, stability and security of the Internet connection.
2010: the earthquake that once again changes the industry
As in 1960, the devastating earthquake that occurred in the central and southern part of the country on February 27 once again highlighted the critical and strategic importance of telecommunications. Based on this new learning, work began to significantly increase the capacity of SMS messages in the event of catastrophic events, strengthen the capacity of the critical network mobile sites throughout the country and implement the alert messaging system to warn citizens in case of emergencies. These advances are still present today, reinforcing the role of telecommunications in emergency support.
“The compilation of historical facts linked to society and telecommunications leads us to reflect on how the way we communicate has evolved. In the context of our 60th anniversary, I remain convinced that the future is built with history, and revisiting these moments motivates us to continue transforming people's lives responsibly” , explained Entel's general manager, Antonio Buchi.
Through images, videos and testimonials, users will be able to learn in detail about these and other milestones that have transformed the way in which Chileans connect.
The beginning of the telecommunications industry in Chile is marked by the largest earthquake in history. On Sunday, May 22, 1960, Chile was shaken by a 9.5 magnitude earthquake, leaving 2 million people homeless.
This catastrophe highlighted the need for a telecommunications system that would allow Chileans to communicate with each other and with the world, giving rise to an industry that 60 years later has been consolidated by innovation and technological advances.
Entel's new website “60 years with you”, which celebrates the company's anniversary, brings together decade by decade the different milestones that have marked its history and that of telecommunications in Chile. These are the six most relevant ones.
1960s: a star is born
In addition to being the decade in which the deployment of nationwide connectivity began, in 1968 Entel inaugurated Longovilo, the first satellite station in Latin America, a ceremony that was led by President Eduardo Frei Montalva. Thanks to this, in 1969 Chile was the only country in the region to see the live transmission of the arrival of man on the Moon.
70's: the icon of connectivity rises
In 1970, construction began on the Entel Tower, a project that was beginning to rise as a symbol of the advance of telephony and connectivity. Four years later, this architectural landmark was inaugurated, which to this day is an icon of Santiago's modernity. With its 27.35 meters high, it was, until 1992, the tallest building in the city.
During the 1970s, important advances were also made: Chiloé was connected by microwave; the cities of Tacna and Arica were connected; on the southern border, the cities of Punta Arenas and Río Gallegos and Puerto Williams and Río Grande were connected; and the country's second satellite station was inaugurated in Punta Arenas.
Decade of the 80s: let's open a bottle of champagne
In 1984, the computer science departments of the University of Chile and the University of Santiago were able to communicate through the first e-mail sent from our country. The message read: “If this e-mail reaches you, let's open a bottle of champagne”.
The decade closed with the commercialization of mobile telephony. People could choose between a suitcase (the battery) with a handset; a slightly more “compact” model designed to be carried in the car and, finally, a one-piece, vertical device with an antenna. None weighed less than 800 grams.
The 90's: Internet arrives in Chile
It could be said that in 1992, the Internet was made. That year, the first data package was sent from Chile to the United States through satellite services provided by Entel. This milestone marked Chile's connection to the Internet for mostly academic use. The following year, the first Chilean web site was created: www.dcc.uchile.cl, which, in fact, still works today. In order to navigate, it was necessary to connect via telephone to the United States at a speed of 64 Kbps.
A new century: the era of social networks
With the massification of cell phones, access to the Internet and the beginning of the commercialization of WiFi, Facebook burst onto the scene in 2004, forever changing the way people get information, express their opinions and communicate. The great era of social networks through the Internet was strengthened with the arrival of YouTube in 2005, Twitter in 2006, WhatsApp in 2009 and Instagram in 2010.
At that time, many may remember the arrival of Blackberry, the first phone to become popular with a qwerty keyboard. With that, Entel offered its customers a revolutionary service: accessing email and also surfing the Internet. Thus, in 2003, Chile was the first country in Latin America to launch the 3G mobile telephony network, a technology that represented a quantum leap in terms of access, stability and security of the Internet connection.
2010: the earthquake that once again changes the industry
As in 1960, the devastating earthquake that occurred in the central and southern part of the country on February 27 once again highlighted the critical and strategic importance of telecommunications. Based on this new learning, work began to significantly increase the capacity of SMS messages in the event of catastrophic events, strengthen the capacity of the critical network mobile sites throughout the country and implement the alert messaging system to warn citizens in case of emergencies. These advances are still present today, reinforcing the role of telecommunications in emergency support.
“The compilation of historical facts linked to society and telecommunications leads us to reflect on how the way we communicate has evolved. In the context of our 60th anniversary, I remain convinced that the future is built with history, and revisiting these moments motivates us to continue transforming people's lives responsibly” , explained Entel's general manager, Antonio Buchi.
Through images, videos and testimonials, users will be able to learn in detail about these and other milestones that have transformed the way in which Chileans connect.