According to figures from the last report of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), quoted by the Chilean Telecommunications Subsecretary (Subtel), Chile reported a 71% year-on-year increasement in the expansion of its FTTH network between June 2018 and the same month 2019. This way, according to Subtel, more than 25% of connections in Chile are fiber.

The report also emphasizes that the country went from recording 12.1 fixed HFC and FTTH connections per 100 inhabitants in June 2018, to 14.2 connections per 100 inhabitants on the sixth month 2019. The figure means, according to the OECD, a 19.1% annual progress in high-speed network connections. In addition, during the same period, OECD report reported that HFC had a 4.3%  growth, and evidenced the withdrawal of ADSL.

‘We work daily so that Chileans can enjoy high standard connections, which allows them to significantly improve their quality of life. That is why we are proud of the work done as a government and industry to increase high-speed fiber optic connections, which allows users to enjoy quality services. This type of results validates the sense of the effort made for many years reinforcing public policies of digital integration’, said Gloria Hutt, Chilean Transport and Telecommunications Minister. 

Pamela Gidi, Chilean Telecommunications Subscecretary, described the figures presented by OECD as ‘very positive’, and highlighted that ‘they show the achievements of the effort that the State has made in terms of connectivity’, In addition, she said that the increasement in connections will be complemented with the National Fiber Optic and Austral Fiber Optic projects, which will allow to, at least, double the amount of FTTH, preparing us for the challenge of facing the digital revolution’. Gidi also mentioned that the data provided by the OECD ‘is reflected in the work we have done as a Government with respect to doubling the existing fiber optic connections in the country, which is a great step forward in closing the existing digital divide’.