ConvergencIA Data Center Forum 2026- 17 de noviembre
Monday, April 19, 2021

Connectivity increased in 2020 and fiber optic connections grew 62%

The statistical series provided by the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications reveal that the growth of fiber optic connections of 62% exceeds the average of the OECD member countries, which is 13.5%. 40.9% of all fixed connections are through fiber optics. Subtel attributes this achievement to the public-private investments that allowed doubling the kilometers of fiber optic available nationwide, from 18,000 to 36,000 km between Fibra Óptica Nacional and Fibra Óptica Austral.

There was also a 10.3% increase in fixed internet accesses, which reached 3.79 million as of December 2020, highlighting the growth of residential connections with 12.5%, which represented the largest annual increase since 2009 Commercial fixed connections registered a drop of 6.5%.

Mobile Internet grew 37.6% between 2019 and 2020. 3G + 4G mobile accesses reached 20.5 million, with a growth of 8.1% in the last 12 months, that is, 1,532,040 new accesses. 4G connections represent 90.4% of mobile internet accesses, with 18.5 million connections.

In mobile telephony, the growth trend of contract subscribers continues, reaching 14.9 million numbers as of December 2020, obtaining an increase of 11.3% compared to the 13.4 million registered in 2019. Prepaid subscribers, on the other hand, registered 10.1 million numbers, thus decreasing 12.9% compared to the 11.6 million recorded in 2019.

Fixed telephony continued its downward trend since 2016. As of December 2020, lines decreased by 6.6% in the last 12 months.

Pay television registered an increase of 1.4%, reaching a penetration of 16.7 subscribers per 100 inhabitants and 57.8% of households.

In Chile there are 55.2 million telecommunications services as of December 2020, a figure higher than the 54 million in 2019.

Last news and analysis

Globales · Hardware

13/08/2026

Foxconn's profit rises 35% on AI demand

Uruguay · Operators

13/08/2026

At Antel Summit 2026, Uruguayan operator identifies reducing the AI access gap as a challenge

Antel held the technology event at Antel Arena under the theme “Real-time sovereignty.” Vice President Pablo Álvarez said having a state-owned telecommunications company is an advantage in addressing the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Director Laura Raffo, meanwhile, spoke about AI: “It is not just about access to the tool, but also about how to use it and how to provide training for its use.”

Globales · Software and Applications

13/08/2026

Anthropic in talks to acquire AI startup Decart

Uruguay · Operators

13/08/2026

At Antel Summit 2026, Uruguayan operator identifies reducing the AI access gap as a challenge

Antel held the technology event at Antel Arena under the theme “Real-time sovereignty.” Vice President Pablo Álvarez said having a state-owned telecommunications company is an advantage in addressing the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Director Laura Raffo, meanwhile, spoke about AI: “It is not just about access to the tool, but also about how to use it and how to provide training for its use.”

Argentina · Operators

12/08/2026

Telecom posts 13.4% increase in consolidated sales in first half

The operator posted a US$410 million profit in the first half, partly boosted by foreign exchange gains. Consolidated revenue totaled US$3.385 billion, up 13.4% year on year. It ended the period with 19.4 million mobile accesses, down 7.1%, and 4.2 million broadband accesses, up 2.7%. The results included Telefónica’s contribution.

América Latina · Mobile · Operators

11/08/2026

The digital Caribbean: Connectivity's bright spots and challenges in a fragmented region

According to the GSMA, 5G connections will account for nearly a quarter of mobile connections by 2030, although they will be concentrated in three territories: Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago. The association says a more conducive regulatory environment is needed to consolidate the telecommunications modernization process.

Search news