Chilean regulator evaluates $38 million penalty for WOM 5G delays

Chile's Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (Subtel) has confirmed that the telecommunications company WOM failed to meet its 5G network deployment requirements. According to Undersecretary Romina Garrido, the company missed the September 30 deadline to complete 90% of its planned deployment, as established in an agreement with the State Defense Council (CDE).

Subtel is currently evaluating whether to collect guarantee bonds that could total approximately $38 million (8,697 million Chilean pesos). The assessment is complicated by 86 requests for force majeure submitted by WOM, citing factors such as extreme weather, delays in permits from the Ministry of National Assets, issues with private land access, and difficulties in securing infrastructure sharing with other operators.

Undersecretary Garrido emphasized that compliance is only recognized once base stations have been officially received by Subtel following technical protocols. While some delays may be justified by force majeure, the authority is reviewing the documentation to determine the exact number of rejected works and the resulting financial implications.