Entel
Corporate brand
UnclaimedChilean telecommunications group providing mobile, fixed-line, broadband, data, internet, television, and business communications services.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Entel is a Chilean telecommunications group whose roots lie in the state-founded Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones, established in 1964 to modernize Chile's long-distance communications and rebuild national infrastructure after a major earthquake. The company developed microwave links across much of the country, established a satellite communications station at Longovilo in 1968, and built the National Center for Telecommunications in central Santiago. The center's tower, Torre Entel, became both a critical communications facility and one of Santiago's most recognizable landmarks. Entel initially concentrated on national long-distance telecommunications, data transmission, and communications infrastructure. Its role expanded as Chile liberalized and privatized parts of the telecommunications sector. The privatization process began in 1986 and was completed in 1992. During the following decade, ownership shifted among Chilean investment groups and international telecommunications investors, including Chilquinta, Telecom Italia, and Quiñenco-related interests. In 2005, the Chilean group Almendral obtained control of Entel through its subsidiary Altel Inversiones. The company's consumer portfolio later broadened substantially. Entel developed mobile services under the Entel PCS brand, fixed telephony under Entel Phone, internet connectivity, television, and enterprise-oriented data and communications services. Its mobile business became a central part of the group. Entel was an early adopter of digital mobile technologies in the Americas, launching a GSM network in 1997, adding GPRS support in 2000, and introducing EDGE capability in 2003. By December 2013, Entel PCS held approximately 38.8 percent of Chile's mobile market according to the cited reference material. Entel also pursued regional expansion. In 2013 it began acquiring the operations of Nextel del Perú in a transaction valued at approximately US$400 million. The transaction was completed during the second half of the year, after which the Peruvian business was rebranded Entel Perú. This gave the group a significant operating presence outside Chile while retaining Entel's core Chilean identity. The group operates through a range of business and service segments, including mobile communications, fixed telephony, broadband and internet access, data centers, call-center services, television, and enterprise connectivity. Its infrastructure and network operations serve consumers and organizations, while its retail-facing brands compete in the mobile and home communications markets. In 2022, Entel announced an agreement to sell its fiber-optic assets to ON*NET Fibra for US$358 million. The arrangement was intended to allow Entel to continue marketing residential internet services over the ON*NET fiber network after the asset transfer. This reflects a trend toward separating network infrastructure ownership from retail service provision. Entel remains an active Chilean telecommunications company with significant positions in domestic mobile and fixed services and regional operations in Peru.
History
Entel was created by the Chilean government in 1964 as the Empresa Nacional de Telecomunicaciones. Its founding purpose was to improve the country's long-distance communications, raise service quality, and construct a replacement national trunk network after earthquake damage had severely affected existing infrastructure. The company installed microwave links across much of Chile, an especially important undertaking given the country's long geography and difficult terrain. In 1968, Entel established a satellite station at Longovilo, approximately 64 kilometers southwest of Santiago. The facility was described in the reference material as a Latin American first and strengthened Chile's access to international communications. Entel's early activities focused on data transmission, communications services, and long-distance telecommunications. It also constructed the National Center for Telecommunications in Santiago. The center became popularly identified with Torre Entel, a 127-meter communications tower that remains a prominent city landmark and the symbolic center of the company's infrastructure. Chile's telecommunications liberalization led to a gradual change in Entel's ownership and operating model. Privatization began in 1986 and was completed in 1992. In 1993, the Chilquinta group acquired a 19.99 percent interest through a series of transactions. In 1996, a capital increase enabled Telecom Italia to acquire a further 19.99 percent and share control with Chilquinta. Entel subsequently raised approximately US$215 million in capital during the first half of 1999, with the contribution associated in the reference material with the Quiñenco group. In March 2001, Telecom Italia acquired shares held by Chilquinta and the Matte group, increasing its stake to 54.76 percent. Entel became an important component of the Chilean capital market. Its shares were held by pension funds, international funds, and individual investors. At the end of 2004, pension funds reportedly represented 25.6 percent of the company's shares. In 2005, Almendral S.A. obtained control of Entel through its subsidiary Altel Inversiones, holding 54.76 percent of the company. The company expanded and reorganized its portfolio during the 2000s. It sold its entire interest in Americatel Central America S.A. and related direct and indirect subsidiaries in 2006. At the same time, Entel developed a broader services platform spanning mobile communications, fixed telephony, internet access, data transmission, data centers, call centers, and television. Mobile communications became one of Entel's most important businesses. Through Entel PCS, the company launched a GSM network in 1997, described in the reference material as the first such launch by an American operator. GPRS support was added in 2000 and EDGE in 2003. By December 2013, Entel PCS held 38.8 percent of Chile's mobile market according to the cited source. Entel's first major international operating expansion in the supplied material was its 2013 acquisition of Nextel del Perú. The process began in April, was valued at approximately US$400 million, and concluded in the second half of the year. The Peruvian operation was then rebranded Entel Perú. The move gave the group a significant presence in Peru while its Chilean operations remained its historical base. In October 2022, Entel announced the sale of its fiber-optic assets to ON*NET Fibra for US$358 million. Entel was expected to continue selling residential internet services using the ON*NET fiber network. The transaction illustrates a network-asset-light direction in which infrastructure ownership and retail telecommunications services are increasingly separated. Entel continues to operate as an active telecommunications group with mobile, fixed, broadband, enterprise, and related digital-service activities in Chile and Peru.
- 2022
Fiber-optic assets are sold to ON*NET Fibra
[1]Entel announces the sale of its fiber-optic assets for US$358 million while retaining the ability to serve residential internet customers over the network.
- 2013
Nextel Peru acquisition is completed
[1]Entel completes the acquisition of Nextel del Perú and subsequently rebrands the operation as Entel Perú.
- 2006
Americatel Central America interests are sold
[1]Entel sells its entire interest in Americatel Central America and related subsidiaries.
- 2005
Almendral takes control
[1]Almendral obtains control of Entel through Altel Inversiones with a 54.76 percent holding.
- 2003
EDGE capability is added
[1]Entel PCS adds EDGE support to its mobile network.
- 2000
GPRS support is introduced
[1]The Entel PCS network adds support for GPRS mobile data.
- 1997
Entel PCS launches GSM service
[1]Entel PCS launches a GSM mobile network, identified in the reference as the first GSM launch by an American operator.
- 1993
Chilquinta acquires a significant stake
[1]The Chilquinta group acquires 19.99 percent of Entel through a series of transactions.
- 1992
Privatization is completed
[1]Entel completes the privatization process begun in 1986.
- 1986
Privatization process begins
[1]The Chilean telecommunications company's privatization process starts.
Products and positioning
A major Chilean integrated telecommunications provider combining nationwide mobile services with fixed connectivity, broadband, enterprise communications, data-center capabilities, and related digital services. Its historic positioning is closely associated with national communications infrastructure and Torre Entel, while its contemporary consumer identity is centered on mobile and internet services.
Mobile telecommunications · 1997
Entel PCS
Entel's principal mobile-services brand in Chile, offering cellular voice and data connectivity. The network developed through several technology transitions, including GSM in 1997, GPRS in 2000, and EDGE in 2003. Entel PCS became a major participant in Chile's mobile market and represented the consumer-facing core of the group's wireless business.
Fixed-line telephony
Entel Phone
The fixed-line telephony service associated with Entel's post-privatization consumer and business portfolio. It complemented the group's mobile operations and formed part of Entel's broader integrated communications offering.
Internet access
Entel Internet
Entel's internet connectivity business, serving residential and business users. The service portfolio has included broadband access and, following the announced fiber-asset transaction, continued retail provision over infrastructure owned or operated by a network partner.
Television
Entel TV HD
A television service within Entel's multi-service communications portfolio. It extends the brand beyond connectivity into household media and bundled communications services.
Data-center services
Entel Data Center
Entel's data-center business for organizational customers, forming part of its enterprise communications and information-technology infrastructure offering. It sits alongside data transmission, internet, and other managed connectivity services.
Business process and customer-contact services
Entel Call Center
A call-center operation within the Entel Group structure. It supports contact and customer-service capabilities associated with the telecommunications business and broader enterprise-services portfolio.
Telecommunications services · 2013
Entel Perú
The Peruvian operating business created through Entel's acquisition and rebranding of Nextel del Perú in 2013. It extended the Entel brand and telecommunications model into a second national market.
Brand decisions
2022
Separate fiber infrastructure ownership from retail internet servicesStrategyBackground
Entel announced a transaction involving its fiber-optic assets as telecommunications operators increasingly separate network infrastructure from customer-facing services.
Action taken
The company agreed to sell its fiber-optic assets to ON*NET Fibra while continuing to offer residential internet services over the network.
Aftermath
The arrangement was intended to preserve Entel's retail internet proposition while changing the ownership structure of the underlying fiber assets.
Asset-sale value. US$358 million (2022)
2013
Acquire and rebrand Nextel del PerúM&ABackground
Entel sought regional growth beyond Chile through the acquisition of Nextel's Peruvian operations.
Action taken
It began the acquisition process in April 2013, completed the transaction during the second half of the year, and renamed the business Entel Perú.
Aftermath
The transaction established a significant operating presence for Entel in Peru.
Transaction value. Approximately US$400 million (2013)
Recent events
Sources3 sources
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