Advancements in technology are allowing for internet access in rural areas where it was previously unthinkable due to geographic challenges and low population density. Through a partnership between Starlink and Claro, 251 localities throughout the country will now have connectivity via satellite internet, providing broadband-like speeds.

Residents in towns such as Caimanes in the Coquimbo Region and Sotoca in the Tarapacá Region will now have improved data transmission and browsing speeds without having to pay extra for the service. ClaroVTR’s Vice President of Technology, Patricio Olivares, stated that the company will facilitate technological evolution in mandated areas, providing Starlink’s satellite connectivity to mobile sites in these communities. He expressed the company’s satisfaction in bridging the gap between people and the benefits of the digital world.

Starlink’s satellites operate at an altitude of 550 kilometers above the Earth’s orbit, unlike other telecommunications satellites that orbit at an altitude of 36,000 kilometers. This reduced distance allows for lower latency and the delivery of high-quality internet service with broader coverage.

The infrastructure advancement holds significant technological importance as it enables communities like Repollal Bajo in the Aysén Region to access high-speed internet, regardless of their remote location. The Subsecretary of Telecommunications, Claudio Araya, lauded the partnership between the two telecommunication companies, emphasizing the positive impact on remote areas where conventional services are challenging to provide due to geographical constraints.

Araya emphasized that this partnership will benefit the residents of Repollal Bajo and other localities, offering them connectivity similar to that of users in regional capitals, thus breaking their digital isolation. The alliance between Starlink and Claro opens up new possibilities for bridging the digital divide and connecting previously underserved communities to the benefits of the digital world.