Chile accelerates 5G rollout, hopes to attract Amazon Web’s new data processing center

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – With the United States and China in dispute over digital security and data protection, Chile, which counts both countries as major trading partners, will keep its doors open to any company that adheres to its rules, undersecretary for telecommunications Pamela Gidi said.

“As long as (regulations) are respected, we have not and will not influence the supply chain or the nationality of the companies,” she said.

The two-year timetable places Chile well ahead of its regional neighbors, and Gidi said she hoped that would attract Amazon Web Services. The Amazon.com unit has long been considering setting up a data processing center in Chile or Argentina.

“We think that obviously (the deployment of 5G) can help in the decision of Amazon and other companies that in the future decide to set up in Chile,” she said.

WOM mobile phone brand launched by London-based investment firm Novator Partners, won a government bid in February to establish 5G spectrum in Chile, along with Spain-based Movistar and Chilean telecom company Entel.

Chilean market analysts speculate that WOM will contract industry leader Huawei to provide the equipment needed for its 5G network.

WOM failed to immediately respond to a request for comment. Huawei declined to comment, but has repeatedly denied U.S. claims that it is a security risk and says it complies with local laws in the countries where it operates.

Gidi said WOM is free to choose how best to deploy its network technology within the terms of its contract.

“We give freedom to spectrum concessionaires to make their business decisions freely as long as the technical standards (of digital security) are respected.”

Source: Moneytimes