Chile has solidified its position as a leader in digital connectivity in Latin America after surpassing 10 million 5G connections, according to the latest report from the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel).
Figures from January 2026 show that the country reached 10,161,957 mobile 5G connections, representing a 62.3% increase over the past year.
The mobile data traffic market is led by Entel with a 39.1% share, followed by WOM (26.2%), Claro-VTR (18.7%), and Movistar (15.7%).
Fiber optics displacing legacy technologies
Fiber optics currently dominates the fixed internet segment with 84.1% of connections, surpassing 4.05 million accesses following an annual increase of 18.9%.
This progress places Chile 11th globally for fiber optic penetration within the OECD. Currently, 66.4% of connected households have plans ranging from 500 to 1,000 Mbps.
Regarding costs, a study by JPMorgan Chase revealed that Chile offers the most affordable fixed internet in the region, averaging US$3.12 (approximately 2,800 Chilean pesos) per 100 Mbps.
This price is significantly lower than in other regional countries such as Colombia (US$4.23), Brazil (US$4.66), Peru (US$5.91), and Argentina (US$8.34).
The rollout of new networks has also led to the decline of obsolete technologies. ADSL usage dropped by 24.8% annually, while HFC systems decreased by 48.4%.
Conversely, satellite internet is seeing accelerated expansion. Starlink recorded 75.5% growth over the last 12 months, reaching 137,129 connections nationwide.
Minister of Transport and Telecommunications Louis de Grange noted that these figures reflect an increasingly competitive nation, though he acknowledged that challenges regarding coverage and territorial equity persist.
Undersecretary Romina Garrido stated that the Government will continue to promote infrastructure deployment, particularly in rural and remote areas.