5G connections in Chile surpassed the 10 million mark as of January 2026, signaling a structural shift in the national mobile market. According to the latest report from the Undersecretary of Telecommunications (Subtel), fifth-generation technology reached 10.162 million users, representing a 62.3% surge compared to the previous year.
This advancement triggered a decline in 4G technology, which dropped 24% during the same period, falling from 16.107 million to 12.249 million connections. Meanwhile, total mobile connections saw a slight decrease of 1.9%, settling at 22.755 million users.
Minister of Transport and Telecommunications Louis de Grange noted that reaching the 10 million 5G connection milestone, alongside high fiber optic penetration, demonstrates progress toward a more competitive nation. The official highlighted that most Chilean households now have access to high-speed networks.
Fiber Optic Leadership and Low Regional Costs
In the fixed internet segment, connections grew by 2.9% annually, reaching 4.814 million. Fiber optics has established itself as the dominant technology, accounting for 84.1% of all fixed services following an 18.9% increase in adoption.
Currently, 7 out of 10 households with fixed internet in the country operate at speeds between 500 and 1,000 Mbps. This infrastructure positions Chile as the eleventh-ranked country for fiber optic penetration according to the OECD.
A JP Morgan study, cited by Subtel, ranks Chile as having the lowest average fixed internet price among seven Latin American countries. At a cost of US$3.12 per 100 Mbps, the country remains below the rates seen in Colombia (US$4.23), Brazil (US$4.66), and Peru (US$5.91).
Finally, the satellite internet market experienced explosive growth of 68.2%. Elon Musk's Starlink led this segment with a 75.5% increase in connections, reaching 137,129 subscriptions nationwide.
