Chilean operator WOM claimed it had deployed 80% of planned 5G sites after the operator had missed mandated targets and was subsequently fined.
The operator stated it had deployed 3,950 sites out of the 5,034 planned, roughly 80%, investing around US$350 million on top of the US$150 million it spent on spectrum licences. Rural coverage was also expanded with the operator stating it had provided connectivity to 300,000 people who had little to no connection.
CommsUpdate reported WOM was scheduled to deploy 4,145 sites by October 2022 connecting 366 rural locations. But it achieved 2,541 sites delivering connectivity to only 25 rural areas by the deadline.
The Chilean government’s telecoms arm (Subsecretaria de Telecomunicaciones, Subtel), fined WOM for failing to meet its first deadline in November 2022 and the second in October.
WOM appealed the decision in a bid to overturn the fine, stating it was unable to meet the deadlines due to factors outside of its control. The courts dismissed the appeal noting only a small number of planned sites were outside of the operator’s control and its rollout was ‘far behind’ schedule.
