The Chilean Subsecretariat of Telecommunications (SUBTEL) has launched a public consultation to assess the feasibility of a third 5G spectrum auction in the 3.5 GHz band. This initiative reflects the government’s proactive approach to supporting future 5G development, industrial applications, and digital transformation across the country. The consultation is open from November 25 to December 24, 2025.
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The primary aim is to gather informed perspectives on the current and future demand for radio spectrum, particularly in light of Chile’s rapidly growing 5G ecosystem. As of September 2025, 5G accounts for nearly 40% of mobile connections in the country, with a 64% year-over-year growth rate.
Participants are invited to provide input on the following key issues:
Timing and appropriateness of a new spectrum auction
Adequacy of the current spectrum allocations
Technical and regulatory conditions for future allocations
Adjustments to existing spectrum caps
Promotion of industrial 5G use, private networks, and mission-critical services
Deployment efficiency, security, and network resilience
Previous 5G Auctions and Spectrum Management
Chile’s first 5G auction took place in 2020 and was finalized in early 2021. It covered multiple frequency bands, including 700 MHz, AWS-E, 3.5 GHz, and 26 GHz. Key coverage requirements included 90% population reach in sub-6 GHz bands, full coverage of regional capitals, and specific obligations for rural and public interest zones.
A second 5G auction in 2023 awarded Claro Chile a 50 MHz block in the 3.5 GHz band. Conditions for this license included expanded rural connectivity and emergency response infrastructure, such as the deployment of mobile units for disaster scenarios.
SUBTEL has also enforced spectrum caps, limiting any operator to a maximum of 105 MHz in the 3.5 GHz band, based on the current total available spectrum of 350 MHz. This is in line with a 2020 Supreme Court ruling mandating efficient and effective use of the spectrum by license holders.
Spectrum Reordering and Potential Band Expansion
In 2024, SUBTEL completed a reordering of the 3.3 to 3.65 GHz range to create contiguous and usable frequency blocks for mobile networks. Following this reordering, 50 MHz were made available for potential new assignments.
The consultation also explores the possible extension of 5G services into the 3.65 to 3.8 GHz range. This segment is currently used for fixed wireless and satellite services and is not counted within current spectrum cap calculations. However, there is growing interest in reassessing these allocations to support mobile use.
For this article’s source information and any product certification guidance, please contact Global Validity.
Quick Country Facts
Chile
Certification Body: Subsecretaria de Telecomunicaciones (SUBTEL)
Certification Type: Mandatory
License Validity: Indefinite
Application Language: English
Legal License Holder: Manufacturer
In-Country Testing Requirement: Testing Not Required
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