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With the inauguration of a new Point of Presence (PoP) by the National University Network of Chile (REUNA) in Magallanes and the Chilean Antarctic Territory, the southernmost region of Chile takes a strategic step towards consolidating a robust ecosystem for science, education, and innovation.

The initiative is part of the Patagonia Project, led by the Ministry of Science, Technology, Knowledge and Innovation (MinCiencia) through ANID, with key collaboration from the Regional Government.

This PoP marks a milestone in advanced connectivity for the Southern Macrozone, enabling dedicated digital networks that will allow for the secure and efficient transfer of large volumes of data and satellite imagery, vital for both national and international scientific research. The new node joins the existing one in Coyhaique, operational since 2022, thereby extending REUNA’s reach beyond Puerto Montt and expanding its network by 42%, with over 1,300 kilometres of new infrastructure.

Now connected to this high-speed network are the University of Magallanes (UMAG), the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH), the University of Aysén, the Patagonian Ecosystem Research Centre (CIEP), INIA Tamel Aike, and the Regional Museum of Aysén. Other academic and scientific institutions in the region are invited to join and enhance collaboration in the territory.

The strengthening of this network has been made possible through coordinated efforts among academia, ANID, and the Regional Government, enabling local actors to participate in global projects, access cutting-edge technological resources, and generate knowledge both from and for the territory. As Paola Arellano, Executive Director of REUNA, noted, this development “positions Magallanes as a natural laboratory, a scientific hub and a gateway to Antarctica.”

Regional and national authorities agree that this digital infrastructure is crucial for bridging connectivity gaps, reinforcing local capacities, and supporting frontier research, particularly in data science and Antarctic studies. For UMAG and INACH, this connection represents a historic opportunity to project themselves internationally and reinforce their strategic role in scientific development from the far south.

Looking ahead, the Patagonia Project envisions integration with the Antarctic Cable initiative, which would connect the White Continent with the rest of the world via Chile, further consolidating the Southern Macrozone’s role as a centre of knowledge in the Big Data era.

The Patagonia Project is a strategic initiative by REUNA and ANID aimed at closing digital connectivity gaps in Chile’s southernmost regions by enabling high-capacity dedicated networks for the scientific and academic communities of Aysén and Magallanes. With a territorial and collaborative focus, the project not only improves access to advanced digital platforms but also lays the groundwork for the Southern Macrozone to become a centre of research excellence, aligned with global initiatives and prepared to meet the challenges of science in the data-driven age.

REUNA, Chile’s National University Network, plays a key role in strengthening the scientific and educational ecosystem at both national and international levels. It brings together more than 50 universities, research centres and astronomical consortia, connecting its members via a high-capacity digital network spanning 15 regions across the Chilean territory. As a member of RedCLARA, REUNA is also interconnected with academic networks across other continents, enabling its institutions to engage in collaborative, large-scale global projects and advancing knowledge from Chile to the world.

More information: www.reuna.cl/proyecto-patagonia