An increase in mobile broadband connections, along with record telecom investments and smartphone penetration growth were the highlights of the Chilean wireless market in 2011.
According to the latest numbers from Chile‘s secretary of telecommunications (Subtel), the telecommunications industry generated $2.4 billion in investments in 2011, which is 25.4% more compared to 2010 and the highest amount in eight years (Read full document in Spanish).
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Mobile broadband has surpassed fixed, achieving almost 3 million connections by December, a growth of 104.8% since June 2009. Boosted by carriers’ subsidies, smartphones were key driver for the growth in mobile broadband. At least six in ten mobile broadband users now access Internet through a smartphone. Subtel expects usage to grow 18-fold by 2016.
In a statement, Pedro Pablo Errázuriz of the Ministry for Transportation and Telecommunications said that telecom growth is the consequence of the country’s move toward modernization, which the government began in 2010. He noted as a positive the increase in telecom investments after investments decreased 2008-2009.
During 2011, Chilean government unveiled number portability and started a 4G bidding process.
