It's worth noting that Subtel received four bids to conduct this study. The winning consortium will have 16 months to complete the study and submit a report with its conclusions and recommendations.
Chilean Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Claudio Araya, stated that “this study will allow us to determine if the conditions exist to carry out this project. Telecommunications and digitalization are the driving force behind the development of our country and the entire region, and in that sense, Chile is building a solid technological platform that will allow us, among other things, to connect the Antarctic territory with the rest of the world.”
Meanwhile, the Regional Governor of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, Jorge Flies Añón, said, “One of the characteristics of the Magallanes region is its remoteness and isolation, which is why being connected is fundamental for us. Today, all four of our provincial capitals have 5G coverage, and our dream is to extend it to Antarctica and reach its peninsula so that Chile can serve the 23 countries that work with us on the White Continent. This is tremendous news for us.”
Julián Suárez, representative of CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean in Chile, added that “we are pleased by the trust of our strategic partners, SUBTEL and the Metropolitan Regional Government of Magallanes, in allowing CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean to be part of this project of great importance for Chile and the world. Once completed, this digital bridge – which is part of CAF's effort to promote collaboration and deepen investment in digital infrastructure in the region – will significantly strengthen the scientific agenda being carried out in Antarctica.”
The implementation of this submarine cable will allow the transmission of large volumes of data at high speeds, improving global scientific analysis and collaboration. It will also enhance climate change monitoring systems, such as biodiversity and air quality analysis, among others. Furthermore, it will provide more reliable communication, enabling Antarctic bases to access cloud services, videoconferencing, and online platforms. This cable will also foster international cooperation among countries with a presence in Antarctica.
