Chile: SUBTEL Private 5G Networks Gain 2300–2360 MHz Spectrum

Chile: SUBTEL Amends the Technical Standard for Limited Telecommunications Services, Extending the 2300 MHz Band to 2360 MHz for Private and Industrial 5G Networks

Chile's Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (SUBTEL) has expanded the spectrum available to private and industrial networks operating under the country's limited telecommunications services (servicios limitados de telecomunicaciones) regime. Through Exempt Resolution No. 1,369, signed on 24 July 2026 and published in the Official Gazette (Diario Oficial No. 44.513) on 31 July 2026, SUBTEL amended Exempt Resolution No. 1,321 of 2017 the technical standard governing the 380–395 MHz and 2300 MHz bands extending the upper limit of the 2300 MHz band from 2340 MHz to 2360 MHz.

The change was formally presented by Undersecretary of Telecommunications Romina Garrido on 8 October 2026 during the Summit País Digital, where SUBTEL confirmed that state copper producer Codelco will be the first company to use the newly available frequencies for automation, IoT and artificial intelligence projects in the mining sector.

Regulatory Background

Under Chile's General Telecommunications Law (Law No. 18,168), limited telecommunications services are networks deployed for the user's own purposes such as industrial, mining, utility or logistics operations rather than for the public. Their installation and operation require a permit granted by SUBTEL through an exempt resolution, with a renewable duration of ten years.

Exempt Resolution No. 1,321 of 2017 established the technical conditions for using the 380–395 MHz and 2300 MHz bands by these services. According to the recitals of Resolution No. 1,369, experience with that standard has shown strong uptake of the 2300 MHz band for private networks, and the evolution of industrial use cases automation, remote monitoring, high-definition video, teleoperation, IoT and AI now demands greater capacity and the transition toward 5G-based architectures.

Key Changes Introduced for SUBTEL Private 5G Networks

Resolution No. 1,369 contains a single operative article and one transitional provision. Its main changes are:

1. Band extension. All references to "2300–2340 MHz" in the title and body of Resolution No. 1,321 are replaced by "2300–2360 MHz", giving a total of 60 MHz for limited telecommunications services in this band.

2. Four new 5 MHz channels. The following channels are added to the second table of Article 3:

Channel	Frequency range (MHz)	Bandwidth
9	2340 – 2345	5 MHz
10	2345 – 2350	5 MHz
11	2350 – 2355	5 MHz
12	2355 – 2360	5 MHz

3. Technology condition for the new channels. Channels 9 to 12 will only be assigned to permits whose projects, systems or networks use 5G or superior technologies — 3GPP Release 17 or a later standard.

4. Case-by-case technical evaluation. SUBTEL will technically evaluate every request involving the new channels and may impose technical, operational or geographic conditions to avoid harmful interference.

5. Delimited service zones. Service areas must correspond to specific, delimited operational zones including indoor environments so that operation remains contained and does not cause harmful interference to other networks in the same or adjacent bands.

6. 4G remains capped at 40 MHz. As confirmed by SUBTEL, industries may continue to request 4G (LTE) in the band, but limited to a maximum of 40 MHz. In practice, the full 60 MHz is only accessible to 5G (Release 17+) networks.

What This Means for Manufacturers

Resolution No. 1,369 is a spectrum and licensing measure, not a new equipment type approval regulation. However, it directly shapes which equipment can be commercially deployed in Chile's private network market:

• RAN and core vendors: Base stations, small cells and core network solutions intended for the 2340–2360 MHz portion must be based on 3GPP Release 17 or later. Vendors should be ready to document the 3GPP release of their software and hardware platforms in support of their customers' permit applications.

• Frequency range support: The 2300–2400 MHz range corresponds to 3GPP band n40 (5G NR) and Band 40 (LTE). Equipment must be capable of operating and being configured within 2300–2360 MHz, with emissions contained to avoid interference in adjacent spectrum.

• LTE-only products: Legacy LTE Band 40 equipment remains usable, but only within the 40 MHz (2300–2340 MHz) available to 4G networks. Products positioned for future-proof industrial deployments should prioritise 5G NR Release 17 capability.

• Devices and IoT modules: Release 17 introduced features relevant to industrial use, such as NR RedCap for reduced-capability IoT devices. Module, router, CPE and rugged-device manufacturers targeting Chilean mining, energy and logistics customers should confirm n40 support and Release 17 feature compatibility.

• System integrators: Network designs must demonstrate a contained, delimited coverage footprint, as SUBTEL will evaluate interference risk on a case-by-case basis.

  
  

Certification Impact Summary

Aspect	Before Resolution No. 1,369	After Resolution No. 1,369
Band available for limited services	2300 – 2340 MHz (40 MHz)	2300 – 2360 MHz (60 MHz)
Channels in the 2300 MHz table	Existing 5 MHz channels up to 2340 MHz	Channels 9–12 added (2340 – 2360 MHz)
Technology for new channels	Not applicable	5G or higher — 3GPP Release 17 or later
4G (LTE) networks	Permitted	Permitted, limited to 40 MHz
Service zone	Per Article 6 of Res. 1,321	Specific, delimited operational zones, incl. indoor
SUBTEL review	Standard permit process	Mandatory technical evaluation for channels 9–12; possible technical, operational or geographic conditions
Existing permits	—	Remain valid until expiry
Equipment type approval rules	Unchanged	Unchanged — but deployable equipment for new channels must be Release 17+

Timeline and Required Actions

Date	Milestone
2017	SUBTEL issues Exempt Resolution No. 1,321, the technical standard for the 380–395 MHz and 2300 MHz bands for limited telecommunications services
24 July 2026	Exempt Resolution No. 1,369 signed by Undersecretary Romina Garrido
31 July 2026	Resolution published in the Diario Oficial (No. 44.513); new channel conditions apply to applications from publication
8 October 2026	SUBTEL officially announces the measure at the Summit País Digital; Codelco confirmed as first user
Ongoing	Existing permits remain valid until their expiry date; new applications for channels 9–12 must meet the new conditions

Required actions for stakeholders:

1. Review product roadmaps: confirm 5G NR band n40 support and 3GPP Release 17 (or later) compliance for RAN, core and terminal equipment aimed at Chilean private networks.

2. Prepare technical documentation: 3GPP release declarations, frequency range and emission data, and interference-mitigation characteristics to support customers' permit applications.

3. Engage early with end users: mining, energy, ports and manufacturing operators planning private 5G deployments will need vendor input to define delimited service zones.

4. Plan migration for 4G networks: operators of existing LTE private networks wishing to use the full 60 MHz will need to migrate to Release 17+ 5G technology.

5. Monitor SUBTEL evaluations: case-by-case technical, operational or geographic conditions may set precedents for future applications.

6. Verify equipment certification: ensure that radio equipment imported into Chile continues to meet applicable SUBTEL technical and certification requirements, which remain unchanged by this resolution.

   
   

Conclusion

With Exempt Resolution No. 1,369, SUBTEL positions the 2300 MHz band as Chile's core spectrum resource for industrial private 5G networks, while protecting coexistence with other authorised services through strict technology, service-zone and evaluation conditions. For equipment manufacturers, the clear message is that access to the full 60 MHz is reserved for 3GPP Release 17 or later technology making Release 17 readiness a commercial prerequisite for Chile's growing private network market, led by the mining sector.