RedGob 2025 - 17, 18 de Septiembre
Friday, June 13, 2025

Satellite Map Day 2025

Chile targets D2D service to supplement mobile networks

Liliana Barriga, Head of Regulatory Policy and Studies at the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel) of Chile, explained that the authorities' and regulator’s view on the expansion of D2D is that it should be a complementary service to terrestrial mobile networks, not a substitute, as is the case in the United States.

“We always consider D2D to be a complementary service. In the U.S., it is a substitute. The difference lies in the fact that Chile does not have a secondary spectrum market, so the authorization is granted to the mobile network operator. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission requests authorization from the satellite operator,” she said.

She explained that the FCC requires a spectrum lease agreement with the satellite operator, which is not the case in Chile. The geography of the United States makes D2D service more relevant there, while in Chile it is considered for emergency situations, with special emphasis on avoiding interference with established services.

Barriga noted that the operator Entel received an experimental license and that the tests have not generated interference. In parallel, the regulator is working on modifying the general spectrum usage plan to make room for bands allocated to D2D within the attribution framework.

“The final decree is quite advanced. By the end of this semester or the beginning of the next, we will have the full regulatory framework enacted,” she announced.

Regarding the fixed wireless broadband market, she observed that it has experienced exponential growth since the pandemic, going from 9,000 connections to more than 100,000, of which 90% are held by Starlink. In this regard, she mentioned that Subtel is working on a demand-side subsidy to support users in paying for fixed satellite internet.

Last news and analysis

Costa Rica · Regulation · Spectrum

30/07/2025

Comptroller's office approved 5G contracts

Globales · Operators

30/07/2025

Telefónica: The Latin American businesses dragged down its second-quarter results

While continuing operations (mainly in Europe and Brazil) posted a positive net result of 155 million euros, those in the Latin American region showed a negative result of 206 million. This was despite the fact that operations in the region showed growth across various segments.

Globales · Operators

30/07/2025

Telefónica: The Latin American businesses dragged down its second-quarter results

While continuing operations (mainly in Europe and Brazil) posted a positive net result of 155 million euros, those in the Latin American region showed a negative result of 206 million. This was despite the fact that operations in the region showed growth across various segments.

Costa Rica · Operators

29/07/2025

5G contracts progress as ICE raises additional concerns

The Comptroller’s Office has given the green light to the contracts signed by the six operators (two national and four regional) to begin the deployment of 5G. The state-owned ICE plans to take legal action if Sutel does not approve its agreement with Racsa to provide fifth-generation mobile phone service.

Globales · Economy · Politics

28/07/2025

EU accepts 15% export tariff to finalize trade pact with US

Media outlets and analysts criticized the agreement, arguing that it raises tariffs on European products entering the United States without applying the same measures in the opposite direction. Nvidia chips are part of the deal and will be destined for the new gigabit factories expected to be built soon.

Search news