Chilean telecommunications regulator Subtel announced that the country’s senate approved the National Automatic Roaming project requiring operators to share their infrastructure to boost coverage in digital divide areas. The bill has already been approved by Chile’s congress meaning and will become law as soon as president Sebastian Pinera validates it. Operators will now have to allow rivals and MVNOs to access their respective networks as customers cannot be charged extra for roaming.
Subtel said the project is designed to ensure users in rural or isolated areas with connectivity issues can choose the company that best meets their communications needs. A total of 3,200 underserved localities will benefit from the move, said the watchdog, adding that the initiative is one of several projects, including Fibra Optica Austral (FOA) and the National Fibre Optic Network (FON), launched by the government to ensure the connectivity of all Chileans.
