Chilean operator Entel announced that it brought mobile telephony services to a total of 280 isolated localities throughout the country in 2016 under the “Connecting Chile” program. The rollout is part of the commitments made by the company in developing its 700 MHz network. Entel has now reached over half the localities due for connection by March 2017. In total, the operator will provide connectivity to 85,000 people living in 549 rural locations in a total investment of US $170 million.

Tarifica’s Take

Spreading connectivity across a country with many remote areas, closing the gaps and facilitating communication across the nation, is a great boon not only to all users but to all operators. For one operator, such as Entel, to make a major investment in the process arguably benefits competitors, but it gains the operator good publicity and potential new customers.