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- The operator successfully completed the construction of the 46 Mandatory Localities corresponding to the Los Lagos Region. It is worth noting that these antennas are located in extreme areas of the region and in zones of high geographic and territorial complexity.
- In the words of Chris Bannister, CEO of the company, “This milestone reaffirms our purpose of connecting everyone in Chile, significantly narrowing the digital divide.”
Puerto Montt, January 13, 2026.– WOM remains firmly committed to the deployment of the 5G Project, announcing an important milestone recently achieved by submitting the full set of Mandatory Localities for inspection and authorization by the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel). In the case of Los Lagos, the operator completed the construction of digital infrastructure in the 46 localities awarded in this region, including: Huillinco in the municipality of Chonchi; Isla Alao in the municipality of Quinchao; Puerto Ramírez in the municipality of Palena; and Huelmo in the municipality of Puerto Montt.
“This milestone reaffirms our purpose of connecting everyone in Chile, significantly narrowing the digital divide. Our team managed to reach extreme areas of the region, located in zones of high geographic and territorial complexity. We will continue to be the operator that brings connectivity to the most extreme and remote areas of the country, transforming the lives of millions of people,” said Chris Bannister, CEO of WOM.
The construction of digital infrastructure in these localities—where network coverage was nonexistent or extremely limited—has generated a significant social impact for residents through access to connectivity. Likewise, this deployment contributes substantially to the economic and social development of the region, with advances in productivity, local entrepreneurship, education for both students and teachers, and the healthcare sector.
“Our deployment is part of a sustained effort throughout our first decade in Chile, which has enabled us, in just ten years, to become the country’s second-largest network with more than 6,300 owned antennas, now providing connectivity access in urban, rural, and extreme areas,” added Chris Bannister, CEO of WOM.
It should be noted that on December 31, 2025, WOM submitted to the Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel) the full set of 366 Mandatory Localities committed under the 5G Project, of which nearly 80% have already been authorized.
The company explains that the remaining percentage pending inspection and approval continues to progress in accordance with the authority’s regular review processes, in line with the terms established in the bidding rules and the transaction entered into with the State Defense Council (CDE). Likewise, the operator indicates that the deadline for all localities to be authorized and operational is March 2026, a milestone that is being met as established.
WOM reiterated its commitment to complying with the authorization process for these works, with the goal of ensuring that its network brings connectivity to remote and extreme areas of the country, contributing to access to telecommunications services throughout the national territory.
What Is a “Mandatory Locality”?
A Mandatory Locality is a specific area of the country defined by the State as a priority for receiving mobile connectivity, and whose coverage is a legal obligation for companies awarded a telecommunications license.
These areas are not chosen by operators; rather, they are designated by the State of Chile to ensure that access to connectivity is not concentrated solely in large cities, but also reaches rural, isolated, or underserved localities.
These localities are part of the social commitment of the 5G Project, as they seek to reduce the digital divide and ensure that connectivity reaches people who currently need it for education, healthcare, security, and economic development.
| Mandatory Localities | City |
| Huelmo | Puerto Montt |
| Huillinco | Chonchi |
| Tegüel | Dalcahue |
| Tres Cumbres | Maullín |
| Terao | Chonchi |
| Chaulinec | Quinchao |
| Ayacara | Chaitén |
| Rauco | Chonchi |
| Ichuac | Puqueldón |
| Santa Rosa, Candelaria, Tutil, Agua Fresca | Quellón |
| Chan chan | Río Negro |
| Olmopulli | Maullín |
| Huilma | Río Negro |
| Isla Alao | Quinchao |
| Colonia tres puentes | Puerto Varas |
| Pucatrihue | San Juan de la Costa |
| Salto Chico | Puerto Montt |
| Colonia Ponce | Purranque |
| Huito | Calbuco |
| Buenaventura | Río Negro |
| Colonia la radio | Frutillar |
| Quema del buey | Puyehue |
| Nochaco | Puerto Octay |
| Chulchuy | Puqueldón |
| Aucho | Quemchi |
| Parga | Fresia |
| Quisquelelfun | Río Negro |
| Aguas Buenas | Ancud |
| Coyam | Maullín |
| San Florentino | Río Negro |
| Corral del Sur | Puyehue |
| Ñancuan | Río Negro |
| Casa de lata | Río Negro |
| Apeche | Queilén |
| Línea Solar | Llanquihue |
| Caracol | San Pablo |
| Río Azul | Futaleufú |
| Cruce Palqui | Curaco de Vélez |
| Isla Quehui | Castro |
| Puerto Ramirez | Palena |
| El Valle – La Lobada | Cochamó |
| Cheñue | Hualaihué |
| Miramar | Los Muermos |
| Trocomo | Osorno |
| Rollizo | Puerto Varas |
| Las Gualas | Cochamó |
Connected Schools: Education with Purpose
As part of its ongoing commitment to reducing the digital divide, the company launched the Connected Schools program in 2023, an initiative designed to provide free internet access to educational institutions. To date, the operator has connected 211 schools located mainly in rural areas, impacting more than 52,000 students and over 4,000 teachers nationwide.
Connectivity has also gone a step further by providing tools for teachers to receive training in the digital environment. Through the Digital Skills program, more than 600 teachers and education students have been trained and certified on platforms in partnership with NivelA, including Google Classroom, spreadsheets, documents, presentations, forms, and Google Gemini.
National Fiber Optic Network (FON)
In addition to the deployment of Mandatory Localities, the company highlights having completed 100% of the rollout of its National Fiber Optic Network (FON) project, totaling 7,553 kilometers of fiber. This service already benefits 161 municipalities across the regions of Arica and Parinacota and Biobío, impacting more than 2.5 million people. This emblematic project is the largest connectivity network in the national territory, enabling rural and remote areas of Chile to access the internet.
Both milestones confirm that WOM invests, builds, and contributes to Chile’s economic and social development by bringing connectivity to places where service previously did not exist.
