The Aysén region of Chile has announced the awarding of a significant fiber optic infrastructure project to telecommunications company Mundo. This initiative, backed by the regional government, aims to enhance digital connectivity in a region where access has been limited.
Project Overview and Financing
The fiber optic project, known as the Última Milla, is set to deploy 665 kilometres of fibre optic cabling and 512 kilometres of access networks connected to the Fibra Óptica Austral backbone. The total funding for this initiative amounts to $7,683,700,189, which will be provided entirely by the Government of Aysén. This investment is part of a broader effort to improve connectivity in rural areas, where traditional internet services have been inadequate.
Impact on Local Communities
The project is expected to connect 33 localities across six communes: Coyhaique, Aysén, Cisnes, Las Guaitecas, Chile Chico, and Tortel. Of these, 21 connections are mandatory as per the project guidelines, while Mundo has voluntarily included an additional 12 connections at no extra cost. This expansion is projected to benefit approximately 8,000 households, addressing the significant digital divide in the region, where fixed connectivity in rural areas is only 39%.
Government Commitment to Connectivity
Romina Garrido, the Undersecretary of Telecommunications, highlighted the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide in Aysén. The project is aligned with the mission of the Fund for the Development of Telecommunications, which aims to extend coverage to remote areas. The geographical diversity of Aysén presents challenges for network deployment, making the fibre optic technology crucial for enabling essential digital activities for families, schools, and small businesses.
Collaboration and Future Prospects
Luz María Vicuña, the regional presidential delegate, emphasised the importance of coordinated efforts among institutions to achieve meaningful solutions for communities that have historically lacked access to commercial network deployments. The successful implementation of the Última Milla project is seen as a vital step towards enhancing digital infrastructure in Aysén, showcasing how public procurement can lead to tangible improvements in quality of life for residents.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Última Milla |
| Total Funding | $7,683,700,189 |
| Total Length of Fibre | 665 km |
| Access Networks | 512 km |
| Localities Connected | 33 |
| Estimated Households Impacted | 8,000 |
| Mandatory Connections | 21 |
| Additional Connections | 12 |
The mission central of Subtel is to bring connectivity to all corners of the country, especially to rural and remote areas.
WHY IT MATTERS
This project exemplifies how public procurement can effectively address connectivity challenges in underserved regions, fostering digital inclusion.
Reported from latercera.com, 2026-08-25. The Tender Wire is published by Otnox.
