Country profile: Chile

As of 2025, Chile continues to solidify its position as one of the most mature telecom markets in Latin America, with significant progress in 5G deployment and ongoing industry shifts. In early 2025 Entel partnered with Starlink to offer satellite internet services to businesses in Chile, covering small, medium, and large companies. This Despite challenges like weather sensitivity and costs, the initiative could significantly boost economic growth in the region.

In 2025 Chilean telecom carrier WOM announce that has officially exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy, nearly a year after filing in the United States. The company, which had accumulated over $1 billion in debt, was acquired collaboration integrates Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology with Entel’s existing infrastructure and value-added services, such as 24/7 monitoring, network management, and real-time observability through web and mobile apps.

The service aims to improve connectivity in remote areas. The partnership also plans to expand into Peru, positioning Entel as a key player in Latin American business connectivity by a group of creditors including BlackRock, Moneda Asset Management, and Amundi SA as part of a restructuring plan.

WOM’s exit from bankruptcy follows a court-approved takeover and an injection of $500 million. Despite its financial struggles, which it attributed to delays in its 5G rollout and subsequent credit downgrades, WOM continued operations throughout the process and now boasts a market share of 25% in Chile. However, the bankruptcy has also introduced uncertainties regarding Phoenix Tower International’s (PTI) tower portfolio in Chile, which was impacted by WOM’s filing. The long-term effects on PTI and WOM’s tower operations remain unclear, with market observers closely watching how the situation evolves.

Meanwhile, América Móvil’s presence in Chile has also evolved. In 2024, América Móvil (AMX) is set to take control of approximately 91% of ClaroVTR, cementing its position as the majority owner of the telecom operator. This shift comes after Liberty Latin America (LLA) opted not to match the funding for this acquisition, marking a significant change in the competitive landscape. The move is awaiting approval from Chile’s National Economic Prosecutor’s Office but is expected to be finalized by the third quarter of 2024. With this new ownership structure, América Móvil looks set to consolidate ClaroVTR’s operations within its broader regional network.

American Tower, now the largest tower company in Chile with nearly 4,000 sites, continues to lead in the towerco space, having completed major acquisitions over recent years, including the purchase of Telxius’ towerrs from Telefónica in 2021. In addition, it has expanded its footprint with the acquisition of tower assets from Entel in Chile and Peru. This strategic consolidation has enhanced American Tower’s position as a dominant player in the Chilean market.

In the broader telecom sector, DigitalBridge’s involvement in Chile has been notable, as it explores the sale of its towerco, Andean Telecom Partners (ATP), which owns 1,280 sites across the region, including in Chile. ATP’s expansion into new markets, such as the acquisition of BTS Towers assets in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Paraguay, has strengthened its regional footprint. Meanwhile, multinational tower companies like SBA Communications and newcomer Torrecom are also making waves in the market, with Torrecom, in particular, reporting strong quarterly growth.

As of 2024, the competitive environment remains fluid, with telecom operators and infrastructure providers increasingly focused on investments in next-gen technologies, such as 5G. Chile remains a key player in the regional telecom sector, and these ongoing shifts signal opportunities for continued growth, technological innovation, and infrastructure expansion.

Looking back to 2023, Chile’s telecom market had already been undergoing significant transformations. Notable deals included PTI’s announcement in July 2022 to acquire 3,800 telecommunication sites from WOM’s portfolio. Prior to this, Entel had sold its tower sites in Chile and Peru to American Tower in 2019. Furthermore, in 2022, Entel pledged to invest US$230 million in 5G technologies, solidifying its commitment to advancing the country’s telecom infrastructure.

These developments laid the groundwork for the more recent changes in 2024 and beyond, underscoring the dynamic and competitive nature of Chile’s telecom sector. Despite the challenges posed by WOM’s bankruptcy and changes in ownership structures, the country remains a leader in telecom advancements in Latin America.

 In 2025, Entel announced its strategic partnership with Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service. This collaboration aims to offer high-speed satellite internet to businesses in both Chile and Peru through a B2B (business-to-business) resell model. This development is set to make a substantial impact in improving internet connectivity for businesses operating in remote or underserved regions of Chile and Peru. Industries such as mining, agriculture, and forestry, which often struggle with poor internet infrastructure, will particularly benefit from the high-speed, low-latency connections enabled by Starlink’s satellite constellation.