Chile Broadband Connections Up 28% On Year In '07 To 1.32 Million 11:51 EST Tuesday, February 05, 2008 SANTIAGO -(Dow Jones)- Broadband connections in Chile reached 1.32 million in 2007, up 28% from 1.03 million connections in 2006, Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) reported Tuesday. Cisco executives released the data along with government officials. Both the private and the private sector aim to increase broadband speed and reach more homes, executives and officials said. "The goals of this technology should focus on the different needs that the different sectors of society have, seeking access and speed to benefit everyone, " Guillermo Moya, Cisco Chile general manager, said. Telecommunications undersecretary Pablo Bello added that improving broadband access is a priority for the government "as digital inclusion is a social necessity." The increase in high-speed connections led to a penetration rate of 8.8%, measured per 100 residents, up from 6.8% at the end of 2006. Home broadband connections represented 83% of all connections. This is the result of attractive package deals telecommunications firms are offering, Cisco said. Chile has the highest penetration of broadband connections in Latin America. Cisco expects the number of connections to reach 1.5 million in 2010.

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