The Chilean Undersecretariat of Telecommunications (SUBTEL) and the Development Bank for Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) have officially signed an agreement with the Salience-Pioneer consortium to conduct a feasibility study for a submarine fiber-optic cable connecting continental Chile to Antarctica.
This Chilean government initiative aims to position Chile as a data traffic gateway to Antarctica, enhance regional connectivity, and strengthen digital infrastructure. The study, supervised by Subsecretaría de Telecomunicaciones (SUBTEL Chile) and CAF will evaluate technical, legal, economic, financial, environmental, social, governance, and geopolitical factors surrounding the deployment of this transformational digital infrastructure.
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Advancing Scientific Collaboration
Upon implementation, the submarine cable will enable high-speed data transmission, advancing global scientific collaboration and reinforcing the ongoing scientific agenda in Antarctica. The system will improve communication reliability for Antarctic research stations, facilitating better access to cloud services, videoconferencing, and online platforms. This enhanced connectivity will foster international cooperation in the region and support critical climate change and environmental research initiatives.
As part of the project, Salience and Pioneer will assess the demand from the scientific community, which plays a crucial role in climate change research and other advanced studies in Antarctica. Numerous countries actively contribute to Antarctic research, with the UAE recently joining through its Emirates Polar Program.
Salience Consulting’s leadership in digital transformation and ICT advisory ensures that this feasibility study delivers a financial, sustainable, and forward-thinking solution.
"This project is a direct reflection of Salience’s mission—to transform countries and communities through digital and ICT advisory. Leveraging our experience across global projects, we aim to provide practical, results-driven recommendations to SUBTEL, ensuring that this initiative is both financially viable and environmentally sustainable. A true transformational project for the region, connecting the last unconnected continent is a historic milestone and Salience is proud to contribute to Chile’s vision," said Ivan Skenderoski, Managing Partner of Salience Consulting.
"Pioneer Consulting is continuing its mission to provide its team’s global expertise in communications and undersea fiber optic cables, helping CAF and Chile to contribute to the global scientific efforts in understanding the Earth’s climate systems, the unique ecosystem of Antarctica, and the dynamics of ice sheets, which include study in geology, life sciences, and physical sciences," added Howard Kidorf, Managing Partner of Pioneer Consulting.
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A Digital Leap for Chile and Antarctica
“This study will allow us to know if the conditions exist to carry out this project. Telecommunications and digitalization are the driving forces of development in our country and in the entire region, and in this sense, Chile is building a solid technological platform that will allow [us], amongst other things, to connect the Antarctic territory with the rest of the world,” noted Chile’s Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Claudio Araya.
“One of the characteristics of the Magallanes region is its remoteness and isolation, which is why it is essential for us to be connected,” explained Jorge Flies Añón, Regional Governor of Magallanes. “Today, we have our four provincial capitals with 5G, and our dream is to jump to Antarctica and be able to 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.”
Chile has already demonstrated its commitment to digital inclusion by deploying high-capacity fiber-optic systems spanning 3,000 kilometers (1,800 miles) from Santiago to Puerto Williams, the world’s southernmost city. Extending this network across the Southern Ocean will position Chile as the primary connectivity provider for Antarctic research stations, supporting a rich diversity of scientific investigations.
The feasibility study is expected to conclude by April, 2026.
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