State of the Art: Information and Communication Technologies in Chile

Information and Communication

Technologies in Chile:Research Areas and Capabilities

State of the Art Report

Tecnologas de la

Informacin y la

Comunicacin en Chile:

reas de investigacin y capacidades

Informe de estado del arte

Tecnologas de la Informacin y la Com

unicacin en Chile / Information and Com

munication Technologies in Chile

Information and Communication

Technologies in ChileResearch Areas and Capabilities

State of the Art Report

3Information and Communication Technologies in Chile: Research Areas and Capabilities. State of the Art Report

Table of Contents1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................6

1.1 Chile at a Glance ............................................................................................................................................ 6

1.2 National Science, Technology and Innovation System ....................................................................................... 8

1.3 Funding schemes for Science, Technology and Innovation .............................................................................. 11

1.4 Chile and ICT: Strategic Issues ....................................................................................................................... 13

1.5 Relevant Legislation for the ICT Sector .......................................................................................................... 14

1.6 Organisations Involved in Regulation and Promotion of ICT ........................................................................... 15

1.7 Main Indicators ............................................................................................................................................ 16

1.8 Role of the Private Sector ............................................................................................................................. 18

1.9 Geographical Distribution ............................................................................................................................. 22

1.10 Challenges and Opportunities ..................................................................................................................... 23

2 Science and Technology in ICT in Chile .............................................................................................26

2.1 Scientific Community ................................................................................................................................... 26

2.2 Research Areas ............................................................................................................................................. 27

2.3 F unding Sources for Chilean Research in ICT ................................................................................................ 27

2.4 Opportunities for Cooperation with the EU ................................................................................................... 28

2.4.1 Cooperation ....................................................................................................................................... 29

2.4.2 Capacities .......................................................................................................................................... 30

2.4.3 Researchers Mobility .......................................................................................................................... 30

3 ICT Research Areas and their Development in Chile ........................................................................32

3.1 Area 1: Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructures ................................................................. 32

3.2 Area 2: Cognitive Systems and Robotics ........................................................................................................ 33

3.3 Area 3: Alternative Paths to Components and Systems .................................................................................. 34

3.4 Area 4: Technologies for Digital Content and Languages................................................................................ 34

3.5 Area 5: ICT for Health, Ageing Well, Inclusion and Governance ...................................................................... 35

3.6 Area 6: ICT for a Low Carbon Economy ......................................................................................................... 35

3.7 Area 7: ICT for the Enterprise and Manufacturing .......................................................................................... 36

4 Information and Communication Technologies in Chile: Research Areas and Capabilities. State of the Art Report

3.8 Area 8: ICT for Learning and Access to Cultural Resources ............................................................................. 36

3.9 Area 9: Future and Emerging Technologies .................................................................................................... 37

Annex 1: Research Centres by Area of Research .................................................................................................. 37

Area 1: Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructures ................................................................ 37

Area 2: Cognitive Systems and Robotics ....................................................................................................... 41

Area 3: Alternative Paths to Components and Systems .................................................................................. 44

Area 4: Technologies for Digital Content and Languages ............................................................................... 45

Area 5: ICT for Health, Ageing Well, Inclusion and Governance ..................................................................... 47

Area 6: ICT for a Low Carbon Economy ........................................................................................................ 49

Area 7: ICT for the Enterprise and Manufacturing ......................................................................................... 50

Area 8: ICT for Learning and Access to Cultural Resources ............................................................................ 52

Area 9: Future and Emerging Technologies ................................................................................................... 54

Annex 2: Researchers by Area of Research .......................................................................................................... 55

Area 1: Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructures ................................................................ 55

Area 2: Cognitive Systems and Robotics ....................................................................................................... 73

Area 3: Alternative Paths to Components and Systems .................................................................................. 82

Area 4: Technologies for Digital Content and Languages ............................................................................... 85

Area 5: ICT for Health, Ageing Well, Inclusion and Governance ..................................................................... 93

Area 6: ICT for a Low Carbon Economy ........................................................................................................ 96

Area 7: ICT for the Enterprise and Manufacturing ......................................................................................... 97

Area 8: ICT for Learning and Access to Cultural Resources .......................................................................... 101

Area 9: Future and Emerging Technologies ................................................................................................. 108

Annex 3: Summary of ICT Research Centres and Areas of Research ................................................................... 111

References ....................................................................................................................................................... 118

Information and Communication Technologies in Chile: Research Areas and Capabilities. State of the Art Report

Published by the European Union Programme of the International Relations Department at CONICYT

Santiago, December 2010

This document was developed with funds of the European Union under the scope of the CHIEP II project

(Grant Agreement 222705) of the Capacities programme under the Seventh Framework Programme. The

content of the document is the sole responsibility of CONICYT and can in no way be taken to reflect the

views of the European Union.


The scientific and technological cooperation agreements signed by Chile and the European Union

open new opportunities to strengthen the current links and also to address new challenges, such

as ICT research and development, technology transfer and innovation. In this context, collaboration

becomes a key element to leverage efforts performed by ICT communities.

This document presents the results of a study, intended to report the Chilean research capability and

working areas in Information and Communication Technologies. The document helps readers to identify

Chilean research centres, investigators and research areas, as a way to ease the cooperation in ICT research,

development and transfer between the European Union and Chile.

The priority areas considered in this document are those specified as research challenges in the Work

Programme 2011 for the ICT theme of the EU Seventh Framework Programmes (FP7) Specific Programme

of Cooperation[9]. This section presents a brief introduction to Chile, its national science, technology and

innovation system, and the ICT sector. Section 2 describes the ICT Science and Technology area in Chile.

Section 3 describes the ICT research activities conducted in Chilean research centres relating to the areas

specified in the EU FP7. Annex 1 presents a list of Research Centres working those areas in Chile. Similarly,

Annex 2 presents the list of Researchers perthematic area. Annex 3 summarises all Chilean ICT research

centres.

1.1 Chile at a Glance

Chile is located to the Southwest of South America spanning 4,200 kilometres of continental territory,

and 8,000 kilometres if the Antarctic territory is included. The continental territory is located between the

17.50 and the 56.50 South Latitude, and the Antarctic area reaches the South Pole, at 90 South Latitude.

1. Introduction


Chile

Amrica del SurSouth America

Capital City Santiago

Population (2010) 17.09 million people

Gross Domestic Product (2010) US$ 203,300 million

GDP per capita (2010) US$ 11,958

PPP GDP per capita (2009 est.) (PPP: Purchasing Power Parity) US$ 15,400

Currency Chilean peso CLP $

Approximate equivalence US$ 1= $ 483; 1= $ 667 Sept.2011

Labour force 7.4 million people

Literacy rate 96%

Main industries mining, aquaculture, forestry,-agro-industry, telecommunications,-banking

Main exports copper, fruit, fish, wine, forest products


Chile is a unitary State with its central government located in the capital, Santiago, in the central and

landlocked Regin Metropolitana. The rest of the territory is divided into 14 administrative regions, all of

which have access to the Pacific Ocean. These regions were traditionally ordered from North to South, from

I (on the border with Peru) to XII (including the Chilean Antarctic territory). The recently created XIV and

XV regions were inserted as a result of the division of other regions and therefore do not follow the same

geographical criteria.

1.2 National Science, Technology and Innovation System

The National Science, Technology and Innovation System in Chile is composed of public and private entities

such as government agencies, companies, universities, technological institutes and research centres which

aim at developing research, technology, human capital training and innovation, as well as creating policies

to support this.

As part of this system, the government formulates public policies, develops research at the national level

and supports research and innovation performed in companies and universities through different funding

schemes and financial incentives. State participation is essential for the coordination of the different actors

of the System and the development of networks. The State establishes priorities and objectives in this area

and defines the National Innovation Strategy to orient the System.

Although industry does not conduct a significant amount of research, they finance an important percentage

of the research performed by universities and private institutions. Enterprises are where innovation is

produced and used. Therefore, a higher participation of the industry sector in research projects must be

encouraged since they play a fundamental role in technological innovation by developing the concepts,

ideas and knowledge produced by scientific institutions.

The education sector forms specialised human capital who later participates in innovation processes at

universities and private companies. Universities and research centres develop most of the fundamental

research and contribute in applied research and technological development. This activity is financed through

direct government contributions, government grants, private company funds and international resources.

In Chile there are several public sector agencies in charge of executing Science, Technology and Innovation

activities. Some of these are independent institutes and others are under the supervision and dependence

of a Ministry. These agencies focus on research, development, transfer and dissemination of technologies

in different areas such as agriculture, forestry, mining, fisheries, defence, and public health.

The National Science, Technology and Innovation System is regulated by a series of norms1 related to

research and innovation such as norms on scientific intellectual property, industrial property, on funds for

financing scientific and technological research and tax incentives for scientific and technological research

among others.

1 http://www.bcn.cl/leyes_temas/leyes_por_tema.2007-09-03.7728937048


In 2005, The National Council of Innovation and Competitiveness was created to propose guidelines for

a National Innovation Strategy. Council members include high level authorities from the public, scientific,

academic and private sectors. Taking into consideration the opinion of the academic and productive sectors,

representatives from different regions and the civil society, the Council integrates diverse visions in order

to define national priorities for strategically oriented scientific activities, public policies and to develop an

efficient National Innovation System.

Following a recommendation of the Council, the Interministerial Committee for Innovation and

Competitiveness was formed in 2007 and is integrated by representatives of seven ministries to serve as

a counterpart of the Council and implement public innovation policies for competitiveness. The Committee

of Ministers defines the National Innovation Strategy after consideration of the recommendations of the

authorities from the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) and the

Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO).

Interministerial Committee for

innovation

President of Chile

National Council of Innovation

MINEDUCCONICYT

MINECONCORFO

(Innova Chile)

Promotes innovation and technological diffusion

Innovation strategy and guidelines

Promotes the formation of advanced human capital

Strengthens the scientific and technological base

InnovationHuman Capital

Science and Technology

National Science, Technology and Innovation System

The National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research (CONICYT) is in charge of promoting

the formation of advanced human capital, disseminating scientific and technological research and

strengthening the countrys scientific and technological foundation. CONICYT is an autonomous public

institution which is part of the National Science, Technology and Innovation System and which relates

administratively with the government through the Ministry of Education (MINEDUC).


The Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO) is responsible for increasing competitiveness in Small

and Medium Scale Enterprises through innovation and technological dissemination. With this main aim,

CORFO finances entrepreneurship, technology transfer and innovation in SMEs, seeks to attract foreign

investment, and supports optimisation of management of procedures. CORFO is part of the Ministry of

Economy, Development and Tourism (MINECON).

As part of the National Innovation Strategy, five economic sectors have been identified as the ones which

offer more development potential for the future: Aquaculture, Agri food, Mining, Global Services and

Special Interest Tourism.

A large amount of the research CONICYT supports and funds corresponds to the areas of Environment and

Energy due to their importance for the development of the country in general, and in the areas of Education

and Health since these significantly impact the populations quality of life. CONICYT also focuses on Chiles

unique natural conditions in order to develop research in the areas of Earth Sciences and Oceanography,

and Astronomy.

It is in the countrys best interest to increase the number of professionals working in science to a level

comparable to countries of similar size and productive profile which excel for their economic growth and

innovation. In this sense, the National Innovation Strategy aims at forming advanced human capital that

will contribute to the economic, social and human development of the country.

In 2009 the National Statistics Institute of Chile (INE) conducted the first national R&D survey which

complies with OECD standards. The survey presented that in 2008 the national expenditure allocated for

R&D in Chile was of US$ 674 million representing 0.4% of the countrys Gross Domestic Product.

In more advanced countries, a close relationship is observed between levels of development and of

quality of life and the relevance that RTD has in governmental policies. Chile should continue increasing

its investment in science, technology and innovation for the forthcoming years and achieve a higher

participation and contribution of the business sector in this effort. It is noticed that in countries with a high

RTD investment, the participation of the private productive sector is essential and reaches more than 60%

of the total2. The aforementioned survey revealed that the industry sector in Chile financed 43.7% of the

expenditure in R&D in 2008.

According to the National Innovation Council for Competitiveness, Chiles RTD expenditure should reach

2.3% of the GDP by 2020 and about half of the resources should be contributed by the private sector3.

2 http://www.conicyt.cl/573/article-35902.html 3 http://www.conicyt.cl/573/article-35902.html


1.3 Funding schemes for Science, Technology and Innovation

There are various national funding schemes for science, technology and innovation. The Chilean Economic

Development Agency (CORFO) and the National Commission for Scientific and Technological Research

(CONICYT) play a key role in the system in financial terms.

CONICYTs programmes and funding schemes are divided into two separate lines: the promotion and

strengthening of the national scientific and technological foundation and the formation and training of

advanced human capital.

Scientific and Technological Foundation

National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FONDECYT): It is the countrys main public fund aimed at supporting and strengthening individual basic research. It finances research projects

of excellence in all areas and has caused a significant impact in the generation of a critical mass of

researchers.

Fund for Financing Research Centres of Excellence (FONDAP): This funding scheme supports the establishment or strengthening of centres in research areas which are relevant for the country and

where basic national science has reached a high development level. Besides promoting research of

excellence, these centres are oriented towards the training of advanced human capital and collaborative

networking.

Fund for the Promotion of Scientific and Technological Development (FONDEF): This funding scheme aims at promoting a relationship among research institutions and companies for the development

of applied research projects, precompetitive development and technology transfer. All projects must

have a high socio-economic impact and be oriented to creating or improving products, processes and

services.

Astronomy Programme: It seeks to support and strengthen the development of astronomy in Chile by providing grants in this field, managing observation time at telescopes in the north of the country, and

managing doctoral and post doctoral scholarships in astronomy among others.

National Fund for Research and Development in Health (FONIS): FONIS was created as a result of a joint effort by the Ministry of Health and CONICYT. Its mission is to create greater technological

and scientific development, which in turn will allow better public health decisions to be made in

the country at both policy level and clinical and management level. In order to achieve its objective,

this programme finances projects which contribute to the improvement of decision-making in health.

FONIS beneficiaries are universities, research centres related to health or academics or health personnel

directly.


Associative Research Programme (PIA): This programme aims to promote the articulation and partnership between different groups of researchers and other national and/or international groups from the

academy and/or the private and public sectors. PIA supports the strengthening of structured groups in

research areas of excellence at national level, thus contributing to the economy and competitiveness

of the Chilean society. The programme is founded on four lines of actions that provide support for:

Research Rings, Research and Development Centres, Scientific and Technological Equipment, and

Articulation and Liaison.

Regional Programme for Scientific and Technological Development: This scheme supports units of scientific and technological development located in the different regions of the country to promote

decentralised research.

Training of Human Capital

Advanced Human Capital Formation Programme: This programme focuses its actions on supporting and strengthening the formation of advanced human capital in every area of knowledge, both in Chile

and abroad. In order to achieve its goals, this programme has several postgraduate and complementary

scholarships. Since 2008, the advanced human capital formation programme has been the executing

agency for all postgraduate international scholarships under the BECAS CHILE programme.

Attraction and Insertion of Advanced Human Capital Programme: Its purpose is to increase the scientific, technological and academic capabilities of Chilean institutions devoted to science and technology,

by means of attracting international researchers and by inserting highly qualified professionals in

academia and productive sectors.

In terms of innovation, through a variety of funding schemes, CORFO promotes technology innovation

for companies, technological transference and dissemination, pre-competitive innovation, public-oriented

innovation, and innovating entrepreneurship among others.

In the past years, the country has set forth high-level initiatives, with diverse funding schemes, aimed at

scientific and technological development and innovation. These intend to create an impact on productive

sectors and knowledge by integrating the best capabilities of the country linking universities, technology

centres, research groups and in some cases, enterprises. The Millennium Institutes and Millennium Nuclei

are examples of the most outstanding ones. These are integrated by associate researchers and young

researchers, and aim at developing cutting-edge research, training young researchers, and working with

collaborative networks with foreign centres. These focus their projects towards the industrial sector,

education, the public sector and society as a whole. Both Millennium Institutes and Millennium Nuclei are

financed through the Millennium Scientific Initiative, a government entity which is part of the Ministry of

Economy, Development and Tourism (and which was formerly part of the Ministry of Planning). Apart from

being financed by the Millennium Scientific Initiative, Millennium Institutes also receive funds from the

Innovation Fund for Competitiveness (FIC).


Chile is currently implementing through the International Relations Department at CONICYT three

multilateral cooperation agreements in science and technology, as well as various bilateral agreements

with European countries. The multilateral agreements are: i) STIC-AmSud with Argentina, Brazil, France,

Peru and Uruguay in the area of Information and Communication Technologies, ii) MATH-AmSud with

Argentina, Brazil, France, Peru and Uruguay in the area of Mathematics and iii) CYTED, with Iberoamerican

countries in the areas of food/agriculture, health, industrial development, sustainable development,

ICT, social sciences and energy. Regarding the bilateral cooperation, Chile has signed agreements with

institutions in Germany (DAAD, BMBF, Max Planck Society, Alexander Von Humboldt Foundation and DFG),

with France (INRIA, INSERM, IRD, ANR, and the French Embassy), with the Region of Wallonia in Belgium

and with AKA of Finland.

International experience shows that tax incentives are effective instruments for increasing the private

sectors expense in research and development. Also, a strong relationship between the private sector and

research centres is essential for orienting the capacities of research centres towards the satisfaction of

companies needs. In Chile, the ties between these sectors are still weak.

In Chile, law n 20,241 of the 19th of January 2008 regulates tax incentives for private investment in research

and development. This law has the objective of increasing private investment in research and development

and to strengthen the ties amongst universities or research centres and companies. It allows enterprises to

obtain a tax credit equivalent to 35 per cent of the total payments of research and development contracts

signed with Research Centres registered in the Research Centres Registry and certified by CORFO. This law

will be in force until December 31, 2017.

1.4 Chile and ICT: Strategic Issues

Chile has reached its position in the Latin American region by maintaining a proactive approach to this field.

The country was one of the first nations in Latin America to begin deregulating its telecom industry in the

early 1990s in order to increase competition and make this sector efficient. Since then, it has implemented

various initiatives aimed at increasing the use of Information and Communication Technologies.

Chile recognised that if ICT was to become an integral part of the nations economy and way of life, it

would have to reach a critical mass. This included extending its availability to the most marginalised pockets

of the population, the rural poor. One initiative aimed at achieving just that was the Telecommunications

Development Fund. This programme provided subsidies to private firms that agreed to expand their

telecommunications services into remote, poor areas of the country. Another plan was the Enlaces

Project, which was established in 1992 to connect 350 public schools through a WAN in order to bring

computer applications directly to their students. This programme served to enrich school curricula. However,

connectivity costs were high for these institutions and many schools had to reduce usage because of high

monthly fees. The programme has, however, extended its scope to all public schools.


Most recently, the Chilean government has pushed for a plan that would turn Chile into a digitised nation.

A consortium of government agencies, academic institutions and firms from the private sector was formed

to develop a vision for Chile. The Digital Agenda was introduced in February 2010. The plan comprises

34 initiatives across 6 action areas, which include: access, e-government, education and training, ICT

industries, businesses and legal and regulatory framework.

1.5 Relevant Legislation for the ICT Sector

Chile has an open economy. Its customs duties are very low and the country has signed several free trade

agreements with foreign partners. Chile has a free trade agreement with the European Union since 2003.

Many items have 0% custom duties regardless of the country of origin; in particular, computers are subject

to this exemption. The country also has an open skies policy concerning air transportation.

Chile has an identification system with a unique number for every person. It is called R.U.T. This number

is used in all activities needing identification, including national ID cards, passports, drivers licenses, and

banking accounts. Since this may have an impact on peoples privacy, the country has legislation concerning

private databases containing data about individuals. People have the right to ask for rectification of

incorrect data concerning themselves. Regarding intellectual rights protection, in Chile these are regulated

by Law N 17,336 released on 2 October, 1970 and its later modifications. This law protects the rights of

Chilean citizens and foreign residents concerning intellectual work ofliterary, artistic and scientific domains.

There is also legislation on specific misdeeds concerning ICT. Thus, the law punishes felonies related to

computer systems and networks. On the other hand, digital evidences are valid proofs in trials.

Currently, Chile does not have a Ministry of ICT. Therefore, functions in this field are being performed by

other Government agencies (please see the next section). The Government has a programme to increase

its efficiency using ICT. It has been improving on providing and accepting documents through the WWW;

for example, almost all annual tax statements are electronically validated and submitted by the citizens. It

reduces the time and cost to process such information.

It also has a programme to standardise and allow interoperability of Government information. In January

2008 the Chilean Government promulgated law 20,241 which regulates tax incentives for private

investment in research and development. Thus the Government tries to motivate the private sector to

invest in R&D, as a way to improve the countrys competitiveness.

The norm for analogue television in Chile is NTSC. The Government decided in 2009 that the norm for

digital broadcasting would be ISDB-T. Analogue and digital television will co-exist until 2018, when it is

expected that all broadcasting will be digital. Recent announcements from the Government expressed their

aim to reach 100% digital broadcasting before that year.


1.6 Organisations Involved in Regulation and Promotion of ICT

The most relevant organisations from the Chilean public sector are:

Ministry of Economics (MINECON: http://www.economia.cl). Part of the mission of this Ministry is to promote the development of small-sized enterprises, promote innovation and entrepreneurship, and

the digital development of Chile. The goal set by the current President of Chile for this Ministry is to

raise the potential GDP of the country to reach development by 2018.

Undersecretary of Telecommunications (SUBTEL: http://www.subtel.cl). This organisation is part of the Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications. Its mission is to promote equal access to ICT,

through the granting of subsidies, concessions and permits; increase the competitiveness of the market,

updating the sectors legislation and ensuring the appropriate protection of the users, supervising the

telecommunication services; allowing with this, the economic, social and cultural development of the

country, favouring equal opportunities for all, and increasing the quality of life of the Chilean people.

Ministry of the General Secretary of the Presidency (SEGPRES: http://www.minsegpres.gob.cl). This Ministry is the support organisation which coordinates and schedules the Government agenda. In

particular, this Ministry is responsible for the Governments internal modernisation programme.

Secretary of Digital Development from the Ministry of Economics (http://www.estrategiadigital.gob.cl). This organisation was created in February 2007 as a response to the need for designing and executing

a public policy to promote the use of ICT by citizens, private companies and government organisations.

The work of this Secretary has three main lines: (1) Improve the Government Operation by incorporating

technology, (2) make recommendations of investment in ICT to government organisations and (3)

promote the use of ICT solutions in the Chilean society.

Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO: http://www.corfo.cl). This Governmental organisation promotes entrepreneurship and innovation through financing schemes and other activities. It specially

allows small companies to access credits that otherwise would be difficult to obtain. CORFO [4] through

the InnovaChile initiative [10] promotes and supports an important number of innovation projects.

The following organisations are also involved in the promotion of ICT in the country. They belong to the

private sector and thus they do not have regulatory authority:

Chilean Association of Companies in ICT (ACTI: http://www.acti.cl). This organisation has the following mission: promote the development and application of ICT, as well as the generation of internal and

external markets for national ICT products and services, fostering free competition and the creation of

legislation in order to form an adequate framework for the development of activities of the Technology

Industry.


Digital Country Foundation (http://www.paisdigital.org). This nonprofit foundation aims at the research, dissemination, promotion and development of various aspects of technological sciences, in its broadest

conception, with the objective of consolidating a digital culture in Chile. In 2009, 27.94% of its income

came from telecommunications companies, 13.29% from hardware and software companies, 23.59%

from third people and 35.08% from the public sector.

Chile Foundation (http://www.fundacionchile.cl). This foundation is a private, non-profit institution, created in 1976 by an agreement between the Chilean Government and the ITT Corporation (USA).

Its current owners are the Chilean Government and BHP-Billiton-Minera Escondida (a private mining

company). Its mission is to bolster human and productive resources by developing and fostering high

impact technological innovations and processes, technological transfer, and technology management.

However Chile Foundation also works in projects which do not involve ICT; for example in the

development of the local agro industry, marine resources and human capital. During its almost 30

years of existence, Chile Foundation has created over seventy companies in many fields, adding value

to key clusters of Chiles economy.

Chilean Society for Software and Services (GECHS: http://www.gechs.cl/). This organisation includes around 70 ICT Chilean companies working on software development, outsourcing of IT solutions and

ICT consulting. GECHS was created in 2002 and its main goal is to promote and help improve ICT-based

services. GECHS also organises activities to generate leverage among ICT companies. This organisation

conducts a study about the status of the ICT market in Chile every two years.

1.7 Main Indicators

The Chilean Government developed an observatory on ICT (http://www.observatoriotic.gob.cl) as a way to

show the adoption of these technologies by citizens. Recently, the Government delivered a report indicating

ICT adoption in Chile [11]. Next table presents some indicators that illustrate the use of ICT technologies by

the Chilean citizens. It should be noted that some figures change very quickly in this area.


2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Mobile phones 7,268,000 9,261,000 10,570,000 12,451,000 13,955,000 14,797,000 16,405,000

TV cable N/A N/A N/A 1,026,667 1,241,346 1,461,490 1,709,013

Broadband Internet connexions

836,009 805,317 906,075 1,087,730 1,331,910 1,439,000 1,670,800

Mobile Internet connexions

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 7,231,467

Sales on Internet (US$ Millions)

3,972 6,753 8,520 10,520 12,115 14,558 N/A

International Data Corporation (IDC:http://www.idc.com) a company specialised in market intelligence

and advisory services in ICT delivered a study on ICT Activities in Chile in May 2010. Figure 1 shows the

investment on ICT through 2008 - 2010. Figure 2 shows the Number of Computers by Type.

Figure 1. ICT Investment in Chile by Area

Hardware

$1,852

$337

$754

$1,943

$421

$803

$1,980

$445

$876

Software IT Services0

500

1,000

2,000

1,500

2,500

(US$

M)

2008 2010 (*)2009 (*)


Figure 2. Number of Computers by Type

2008 2009 2010 20110

400

300

200

100

500

800

700

900

Thou

sand

s of

Uni

ts

Desktop Ultra PortableNotebook

535466

742

271

438

842

286

681

270

641

19

447

1.8 Role of the Private Sector

Private companies in Chile have various goals, such as providing ICT solutions to organisations,

consulting, hardware and/or software sales, ad-hoc software development, outsourcing ICT services, and

communication services, among others. Some companies develop products for export, notably softwares.

Very few companies conduct independent research.

In Chile most ICT companies are part of the Chilean Association of Companies in ICT (ACTI) [1] or the

Chilean Society for Software and Services (GECHS) [8]. These companies are focused on providing particular

ICT services to public and private organisations, or to citizens. Among others, such services include digital

signature, information custody, business services or telecommunication support for particular projects.

Companies linked to GECHS are involved mainly in software development for several niches, such as

government, banking, retail, health, educational institutions, etc. The following is a representative list of

the private ICT companies operating in Chile.


ACCENTURE CHILE http://www.accenture.com/Countries/Chile

ACEL http: //www.acel.cl

Acepta.com SA http://www.acepta.com

Action Coach Chile http://www.actioncoach.cl

ADEXUS SA http://www.adexus.cl

ADMI Soluciones Informticas http://www.admi.cl

AGFA Healthcare Ltda. http://www.agfa.com

ALCATEL-LUCENT de Chile http://www.alcatel-lucent.com

ALFA PEOPLE CHILE SA http://www.alfapeople.com

ASESORIAS Y VENTAS AQB SA http://www.aqb.cl

ASICOM SA http://www.asicom.cl

Austral Networks Ltda http://www.australnetworks.com

ELOGOS SA http://www.elogos.cl

Beyond Technologies Chile SA http://www.beyond.cl

Binaria SA http://www.binaria.cl

CA Chile SA http://www.ca.com/cl

CIS Consultores Ltda. http://www.cisconsultores.cl

CISCO Systems Chile SA http://www.cisco.com/cl

CITYMOVIL SA http://www.citymovil.cl

COASIN Chile SA http://www.coasin.cl

COMMZGATE LATIN AMERICA SA http://www.commzgate-la.com

Computacin OLIDATA Ltda. http://www.olidata.cl

CONSIST SA http://www.olidata.cl

D-LINK Sudamrica SA http://www.dlinkla.com

DATANET SA http://www.datanetsa.com

DATASOFT SA http://www.datasoft.cl

DATCO CHILE SA http://www.datco.cl

DBNET SA http://www.dbnet.cl

DELL Ltda. http://www.dell.com

DIMENSION Data Chile Ltda. http://www.didata.com

DTS Ltda. http://www.dtscallcenter.cl

DUOC UC http://www.duoc.cl

E-NABLE SA http://www.enable.cl

Easy Informatic EIRL http://www.easytec.cl

ECARRIER Ltda. http://www.ecarrier.cl

Educacin Digital SA http://www.i-educationholdings.com

EDUTECNO http://www.edutecno.com

ELPA http://www.elpa.cl

EMC Chile http://www.emc.com

ENTEL SA http://www.entel.cl

ERICSSON Chile SA http://www.ericsson.com

ESCOM http://www.escom.cl

ESKORPION Ltda. http://www.eskorpion.com

ETICSA http://www.eticsa.cl

EVALUESERVE Chile SA http://www.evalueserve.com

EVERIS Chile SA http://www.everis.cl

EXCEED Ltda. http://www.exceed.cl

EXCELSYS Soluciones S.p.A. http://www.excelsys.net

GENBIZ E.I.R.L. http://www.genbiz.cl

GENERA SA http://www.genera.cl

GILLIER GROUP LTDA. http://www.actioncoach.cl

GLOBAL CROSSING CHILE SA http://www.globalcrossing.com


GLOBALCOM SA http://www.globalcom.cl

GS1 http://www.gs1chile.org

GSUR SA http://www.gsur.cl

GTS Chile SA http://www.gtschile.com

HDI Chile http://www.grupohdi.com

Hewlett Packard Chile http://www.hp.com

HEXA Informtica Ltda. http://www.hexa.cl

HGV Ingeniera http://www.hgvingenieria.cl

IBM Chile SAC http://www.ibm.com

ICONEXA SA http://www.iconexa.com

ICONSTRUYE SA http://www.iconstruye.com

IKOM Ltda. http://www.ikom.cl

IMAGEN SAhttp://www.imagen.cl

IMAGINEX TI SA http://www.imaginex.cl

IMPRESIN UNO Ltda. http://www.impresionuno.cl

INDRA SISTEMAS CHILE S.A. http://www.indracompany.com

INFOCORP CHILE S.A. http://www.infocorp.cl

INGEFLOW LTDA. http://www.ingeflow.com

INGHENIA URUGUAY SRL http://www.inghenia.com

INPACT S.A. http://www.inpact.net

INSICO S.A. http://www.insico.cl

INSTITUTO PROFESIONAL AIEP S.A. http://www.aiep.cl

INTEL CHILE S.A. http://www.intel.cl

INTERPLANET S.A. http://www.interplanet.cl

INTERSYSTEMS CHILE LTDA. http://www.intersystemschile.cl

IT&GS CONSULTORES LTDA. http://www.itg-salud.com

KONOCIMIENTO GESTIN Y APRENDIZAJE S.A. http://www.konocimiento.cl

KR CONSULTING LTDA. http://www.krconsulting.cl

LEBOX LTDA. http://www.lebox.com

LENOVO http://www.lenovo.com/cl

M&G CONSULTOREShttp://www.mgconsultores.cl

MCAFEE CHILE S.A. http://www.mcafee.com

METANOIA CHILE S.A. http://www.metanoia.cl

MICROSOFT CHILE S.A. http://www.microsoft.com

MOSAQ CONSULTORES LTDA. http://www.mosaq.com

NAVIGO GROUP S.A http://www.navigogroup.cl

NCR CHILE LTDA. http://www.ncr.com

NECTIA S.A. http://www.nectia.com

NETSECURE CONSULTING SERVICES S.A http://www.netsecure.cl

NETSECURE INFORMTICA http://www.netsecure.cl

NEURONET http://www.neuronet.cl

NOVARED CHILE S.A. http://www.novared.net

OMEGA SYSTEMS S.A. http://www.omsys.cl

ONVISION S.A. http://www.onvision.cl

OPTIMISA S.A. http://www.optimisa.cl

OPTION SPA http://www.optionti.com

ORACLE DE CHILE S.A. http://www.oracle.com

ORANGE BUSINESS SERVICES http://www.orange-business.com

PAPERLESS http://www.paperless.cl

PLUS CONSULT LTDA. http://www.plus.cl


POLARIS CHILE LTDA. http://www.polaris.co.in

POWERDATA AMERICA LTDAhttp://www.powerdata.cl

PRAGMA INFORMTICA S.A. http://www.pragma.cl

PRORM CHILE S.A. http://www.prorm.com

PROVECTIS S.A. http://www.provectis.cl

QUANAM http://www.quanam.com

QUINTEC S.A. http://www.quintec.cl

RECYCLA CHILE S.A. http://www.recycla.cl

REUNA http://www.reuna.cl

REZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES S.A. http://www.rezebra.cl

RHISCOM LTDA. http://www.rhiscom.com

ROCHE CHILE LTDA. http://www.roche.cl

SAP CHILE http://www.sap.com/chile/index.epx

S&A CONSULTORES CHILE LTDA. http://www.syachile.cl

SAYDEX LTDA. http://www.saydex.cl

SNTESIS S.A. http://www.sintesis.cl

SEAPRENDE.COM CHILE S.A. http://www.seaprende.com

SERINFO S.A. http://www.serinfo.cl

SERVIPYME S.A. http://www.servipyme.cl

SESA CHILE S.A.http://www.sesachile.cl

SIXBELL LTDA http://www.sixbell.cl

SNOOP CONSULTING S.A. http://www.snoopconsulting.cl

SOLEX S.A. http://www.solex.cl

SOLUCIONES INTEGRALES S.A. http://www.solint.cl

SOLUCIONES ORIN S.A. http://www.solucionesorion.com

SONDA http://www.sonda.cl/

SOUTHERN TECHNOLOGY GROUP S.A. http://www.stgchile.cl

SQL TECHNOLOGY S.A. http://www.sqltech.cl

ST COMPUTACIN S.A. http://www.st.cl

STACKS CHILE LTDA http://www.stacks.cl

SWITCH COMUNICACIONES LTDA. http://www.switch.cl

SYNAPSIS IT LTDA. http://www.synapsis-it.com

SYNOPSYS CHILE LTDA. http://www.synopsys.cl

TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES: http://www.tcs.cl

TECNOCAL http://www.tecnocal.cl

TECNOLINK LTDA. http://www.tecno-link.cl

TEKNOS CHILE S.A. http://www.teknos.cl

TELEFNICA EMPRESAS CHILE S.A. http://www.telefonicachile.cl

TI BOX CHILE LTDA. http://www.tibox.cl

TIDE S.A. http://www.tide.cl

TRACKIT LTDA. http://www.trackit.cl

TRANSTECNIA S.A. http://www.transtecnia.cl

TUXPAN SOFTWARE S.A. http://www.tuxpan.com

UNISYS SUDAMERICANA CORPORATION http://www.unisys.com

UVIRTUAL S.A. http://www.uvirtual.cl

VIDEOTEK SEGURIDAD LTDA. http://www.tepille.cl

VIGATEC S.A. http://www.vigatec.cl

WIDEFENSE S.A. http://www.widefense.com

WOODTECH S.A. http://www.woodtechms.com

XEROX DE CHILE S.A. http://www.xerox.com

XPERIENCE CONSULTING LTDA. http://www.xperience.cl


1.9 Geographical DistributionThe ICT research and development activities in Chile are located mainly in its 4 largest cities: Santiago,

Valparaso, Via del Mar and Concepcin. This situation is explained by the fact that most Chilean

population and private/public companies are located also in such geographical areas. Several Government

attempts have been made to decentralise the country, with little success up to now.

Next table presents a geographical distribution of ICT researchers in Chile by Region. Most researchers

(41%) are located in the Metropolitan Region, i.e. in Santiago. Three Regions (RM, V, and VIII) concentrate

70% of the total of ICT researchers. There are also various Regions with few or no ICT researchers.

Therefore, it is possible to conclude that the geographical distribution of the ICT research community is

strongly centralised in the previously mentioned cities.

Region Number of ICT Researchers RegionNumber of ICT Researchers

XV de Arica y Parinacota 2,8 % VII del Maule 6,9 %

I de Tarapac 1,7 % VIII del Bo Bo 14,4 %

II de Antofagasta 4,4 % IX de la Araucana 4,7 %

III de Atacama 0 % XIV de Los Ros 4,4 %

IV de Coquimbo 1,4 % X de Los Lagos 0,6 %

V de Valparaso 15 % XI Aysn del General Carlos Ibez del Campo 0 %

Regin Metropolitana de Santiago 41,1 %

XII de Magallanes y Antrtica Chilena 2,5 %

VI del Libertador General Bernardo OHiggins 0 %

In the case of research centres, the situation is aligned to the researchers distribution. However, in this

case, the VII Region shows a strong presence of ICT centres since several of these have been recently

created in this region. Next table shows the geographical distribution of ICT research centres in Chile.


Region Number of Centres RegionNumber of

Centres

XV de Arica y Parinacota 1,7 % VII del Maule 12,1 %

I de Tarapac 1,7 % VIII del Bo Bo 8,6 %

II de Antofagasta 1,7 % IX de la Araucana 5,2 %

III de Atacama 0 % XIV de Los Ros 1,7 %

IV de Coquimbo 1,7 % X de Los Lagos 0 %

V de Valparaso 19 % XI Aysn del General Carlos Ibez del Campo 0 %

Regin Metropolitana de Santiago 44,8 %

XII de Magallanes y Antrtica Chilena 1,7 %

VI del Libertador General Bernardo OHiggins 0 %

1.10 Challenges and Opportunities

The Chilean Government aims at reaching economic development by 2018. This is not an easy goal to

achieve. Although the economy grew over 5% during 2010 and it will grow an estimated 6% for 2011

(subject to normal behaviour of the world economy), there are many pending challenges.

One of these challenges concerns education. The quality of basic and secondary education has been subject

to much criticism. Recent 2010 results of the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA)

positioned Chile as number 44 among 65 nations. This is considered unsatisfactory, since any long-term

improvement for the Chilean society depends on high quality education. Thus, the Ministry of Education

is taking measures to further develop this area. Whether this change will occur soon enough in order to

influence the countrys growth in the years after 2011, is still unknown. This challenge presents also a good

opportunity for ICT to enhance education.

A second challenge refers to the reduction of social and economic inequalities. It is widely accepted in Chile

that the current very large variability in personal wealth is neither ethical nor sustainable in the long term.

The Chilean Government offers subsidies for the very poor but this effort has not been enough to eliminate

extreme poverty. Poverty has been significantly reduced in the last 20 years and its figure oscillates between

11% and 14% of the population, but again, this is considered insufficient. This challenge also presents an

opportunity for ICT to creatively solve some of the causes of poverty.


For example communitary Internet kiosks can help students in poor communities to access learning

resources through Internet. Independent workers such as electricians, gardeners, bakers, builders and

farmers can offers their professional services or products through social networks or e-mail to frequent

clients.

There are several other challenges in many fronts. However, one that should be mentioned is the availability

of energy at low cost. Chile does not have gas, oil or nuclear energy. Electricity is obtained from thermal

and hydroelectric plants mainly. New hydroelectric plants would need to be built very far from consumer

centres, thus the cost of transportation becomes very relevant. Nuclear plants, on the other hand, present

drawbacks in terms of local fuel unavailability and residues disposal problems.


2. Science and Technology in ICT in ChileA large part of ICT research in Chile is conducted at universities. There are no state-funded research centres

dedicated to the subject. Industry has just a few small ICT research laboratories. From all universities, most

ones doing research belong to the Consejo de Rectores de Universidades Chilenas (Council of Rectors

of Chilean Universities), which includes all state-funded universities and a few traditional private ones.

Recently founded private universities are mostly focused on teaching, but some are increasingly getting

involved in research activities.

2.1 Scientific Community

A total of 360 researchers are included in this report: 56 females and 304 males. A total of 233 people (i.e.

64%) hold a PhD degree, 95 people (i.e. 26%) hold an MSc degree, and 32 people (less than 10%) just

have undergraduate studies or professional degrees.

The number of research centres included in the report is 58. Please note the reported research centres

may overlap. Thus, e.g., a certain University Department may have several focused laboratories or centres

associated to it. Next table shows a summary of people and research centres by regions of the country.

Region Number of ICT Researchers

Number of Research Centres

Region Number of ICT Researchers

Number of Research Centres

XV de Arica y Parinacota 10 1 VII del Maule 25 7

I de Tarapac 6 1 VIII del Bo Bo 52 5

II de Antofagasta 16 1 IX de la Araucana 17 3

III de Atacama 0 0 XIV de Los Ros 16 1

IV de Coquimbo 5 1 X de Los Lagos 2 0

V de Valparaso 54 11XI Aysn del General Carlos Ibez del Campo

0 0

Regin Metropolitana de Santiago

148 26 XII de Magallanes y Antrtica Chilena 9 1

VI del Libertador General Bernardo OHiggins

0 0


2.2 Research Areas

Main research areas include traditional fields: Software Engineering, Management Information Systems, Data

and Knowledge Engineering, Data Structures, Algorithms Analysis, Information Retrieval, Human-Computer

Interaction, Computer Languages, Computer Graphics, Large-scale Computation, Computer Networks,

Distributed Systems, Communications, Educational Informatics, Robotics, Numerical Computation, Speech

Recognition, Pattern Recognition and Artificial Intelligence. Emerging research fields are also being studied

such as Bioinformatics, Web Research, Social Networks, Collaborative Systems, and Mobile Systems.

The application areas of these research studies are aligned with the sectors of economical development

defined by the National Innovation Strategy [14], which are: agribusiness, aquaculture, mining, global

services and tourism. Most projects in these application areas involve ICT components; therefore it is

possible to consider ICT as a transversal area.

2.3 Funding Sources for Chilean Research in ICT

The list below includes the most common research financing sources available to Chilean researchers

for ICT. It should be noted this is not an exhaustive list since researchers may obtain financing from

international sources or specific grants from companies. General funding schemes provided by CONICYT

and CORFO were mentioned in the previous chapter.

Chile Foundation (http://www.fundacionchile.cl)

This foundation promotes and finances several project types and sizes. All of them involve innovation

applied to six areas: agribusiness, marine resources, forest/forestry industries, environment and chemical

metrology, human capital and ICT. However ICT is a transversal issue that is present in most of the projects.

Latin American and the Caribbean Collaborative ICT Research (LACCIR) (http://www.laccir.org)

This organisation supports one-year applied research ICT projects. The projects must be developed by teams

from at least two Latin American or Caribbean countries. Out-of-region teams may participate but they do

not receive funding from LACCIR.


2.4 Opportunities for Cooperation with the EU

The Chilean academic sector is involved in an important number of international scientific activities,

such as research and cooperation projects, and also organisation of scientific events; e.g. workshops and

conferences. The Chilean ICT community has important links with EU through several programmes. An

example of Bi-lateral cooperation is the support of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). Multi-

lateral cooperation occurs through CYTED (Iberoamerican Science and Technology Development Program),

STIC-AmSud (supported by the French government), and with the European Union currently through the

EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7).

In the case of the FP7, it involves four specific programmes: cooperation, capacities, ideas and researchers

mobility. The cooperation specific programme supports collaborative research projects conducted by

transnational consortia across Europe and other countries which try to reach or enhance the European

Union leadership in key areas of science and technology, one of them being ICT. The capacities specific

programme aims at enhancing research and innovation capacities throughout Europe and at insuring

their optimal use. The ideas specific programmeis focused on cutting edge research based on scientific

excellence. Finally, the researchersmobility specific programme supports researchers mobility and career

development, providing fellowships, exchanges and other measures to help researchers build their skills

and competences throughout their careers. The following sections present the current (January 2011)

Chilean participation in these specific programmes.


2.4.1 CooperationChile participates in 23 projects belonging to this specific programme. The Cooperation programme

includes ten thematic areas, and one of them is ICT. The following table lists the ICT projects involving

Chilean research institutions.

# Year Acronym Project Name Chilean Research Institution Contact E-mail Researcher

1 2007 COMOESTAS

COntinuous Monitoring of medication Overuse headache in Europe and Latin America: development and STandardization of an Alert and decision support System

Pontificia Universidad Catlica de Chile

rfadic@ med.puc.cl Ricardo Fadic

2 2007 ACTION-Grid

International Cooperative Action on Grid Computing and Biomedical Informatics between the European Union, Latin America, the Western Balkans and North Africa

Universidad de Talca [email protected]

Fernando DaniloGonzlez Nilo

3 2007 SALA+

SUPPORT ACTION for a European and Latin American Strategic cooperation on Networked Media R&D

Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa Mara / Asociacin Regional de Televisin del Bio-Bio Asociacion Gremial / HyC Americas SA

[email protected] Vctor Aguilera

4 2008 PRO-IDEALPROmotion of an ICT Dialogue between Europe and America Latina

Asociacin de Derecho e informtica de Chile

[email protected]

Humberto Carrasco

5 2009 PRO-IDEAL PLUS

PROmotion of an ICT Dialogue between Europe and America Latina extension towards Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, Costa Rica

ONG, Asociacin de Derechos e Informtica de Chile

[email protected]

Humberto Carrasco

6 2009 FORESTAFostering the Research Dimension of Science and Technology Agreements

Universidad Tecnolgica Metropolitana

[email protected] Hctor Torres


2.4.2 CapacitiesChile participates in 10 projects of this specific programme. It includes seven research areas, ICT being one

of them. The following list presents the ICT projects in the Capacities specific programme involving Chilean

research institutions.

# Year Acronym Project Name Chilean Research Institution Contact E-mail Reseracher

1 2007 EVALSOEnabling Virtual Access To Latin-American Southern Observatories

Red Universitaria Nacional [email protected] Sandra Jaque

2 2007 EELA-2 E-Science Grid Facility For Europe And Latin AmericaRed Universitaria Nacional [email protected] Sandra Jaque

3 2009 GISELA

Grid Initiatives For E-Science Virtual Communities In Europe And Latin America

Red Universitaria Nacional

[email protected] Paola Arellano

2.4.3 Researchers MobilityChile participates in 27 projects belonging to this specific programme, which involves five sub-fields: Initial

Training Networks, Industry-Academia Partnerships and Pathways, International Incoming Fellowships (IIF),

International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF), and International Research Staff Exchange Scheme (IRSES). The

ICT projects in which Chilean centres participate are in the IRSES sub-field. These projects are the following:

# Year Acronym Project Name Chilean Research Institution Contact E-mail Reseracher

1 2008 iMaPla (TICs) Integrated Maintenance Planning

Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa Maria

[email protected] Adolfo Arata

2 2008 EPIKH (TICs)Exchange Programme to advance e-Infrastructure Know-How

Universidad Tcnica Federico Santa Maria

[email protected] Luis Salinas

3 2009 Net2 (TICs) A Network for Enabling Networked Knowledge

Pontificia Universidad Catlica De Chile

[email protected]

Marcelo Arenas

4 2009 Net2(TICs) A Network for Enabling Networked KnowledgeUniversidad De Chile

[email protected]

ClaudioGutirrez

The following sections present the research activities that are being conducted in Chilean Research Centres

in the ICT areas established in the EU FP7 Specific Programme Cooperation [9].


3. ICT Research Areas and their Development in ChileNext sections describe the research activities conducted by Chilean researchers into the ICT areas identified

in the Work Programme 2011 for the ICT theme of the EU Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) Specific

Programme Cooperation[9].

3.1 Area 1: Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service Infrastructures

This area is well developed in Chile, particularly the telecommunication systems, since the country has

invested important resources during the last 20 years. Provided Chile is a countrywith a territory spanning

over 4,500 kilometres, communication networks play a key role in daily commercial, productive and service

activities. Private and public organisations are involved in research, development and innovation efforts,

although the most important work is performed by research centres at Universities. The main research

capability in this area is located in the Metropolitan Region, which hosts more than 50% of researchers in

this area since most telecommunication companies and research centres are located in the city of Santiago

and its surroundings.

Internet services are highly demanded by society; however research efforts in such area are still poor. Most

investments in Internet services involve deploying technologies that have been successful in Europe, Asia

or North America.

The software research area is also important in Chile. The main research line is software processes for

small and medium-sized enterprises (SME), since most software companies are SMEs and their maturity

level is still low. The research task force in software engineering is mainly located in universities from

the Metropolitan and V Regions, and include an important number of researchers. The Chilean software

industry is mainly focused on software development for public and private companies since the demand for

software development is as important as the offer.


3.2 Area 2: Cognitive Systems and Robotics

Although the cognitive systems and robotics have a long tradition in Chile, research efforts in these areas

are quite recent. However they have grown rapidly as a result of government incentives to develop these

areas.

Research in cognitive systems is focused on the study of relevant problems in Chile, such as pollution,

environment and demographic growth. There are also strong research initiatives in automation of images

recognition, mainly to address several problems in productive systems and healthcare.

Research in robotics represents a new, but promising area. During the last years, government agencies

have provided important economical resources to promote and develop this area which have generated

interesting medium-sized initiatives. It is expected that the results of the research effort in robotics are

transferred almost directly to the mining industry, which is a key productive niche for the country.

The most important research capability in these areas is located in the Metropolitan Region, since the main

research centres are located in Santiago, the capital city. In the case of robotics, the organisations where

research in this area is applied are located mainly in northern Chile (Regions I, II, III, IV and XV) since the

countrys most important mines are located in these regions.

In the case of technologies for automatic control, these are strongly embedded in productive scenarios. The

research and development capabilities in this specific field are located in the Metropolitan and V Region.

However, the application scenarios are spread along the country since industries using such technologies

are not installed in a particular Region. Some industries using automatic control technologies include

forestry, salmon, wine and food processing.


3.3 Area 3: Alternative Paths to Components and Systems

Research and development efforts in this area are small and quite stable. The miniaturisation of electronic

components and systems is not a strong research area in Chile since technologies from highly competitive

countries such as Germany, the United States, Japan or China, have historically covered the needs of the

local market. The most important work in this ICT line in Chile is the development of components for

embedded systems, which then are going to be used in domestic appliances, security systems (e.g. alarms)

and devices for automatic control.

There is no particular region of the country which concentrates the know-how in this area. The research

and development efforts are conducted mainly by Chilean universities through projects supported by public

and private funds.

3.4 Area 4: Technologies for Digital Content and Languages

Technologies for digital content and languages have been historically an interesting research and

development area for Chilean researchers. Therefore, there are an important number of people working on

specific problems and challenges in this field. During the last ten years, there has also been an important

advance in the creation and delivery of innovative services based on digital contents. For example, video

on-demand, custody of digital records and recommender systems for citizens (e.g. for choosing a restaurant

or a movie). The work in this area is performed mainly through commercial initiatives of the private sector.

There are also two ICT research areas for digital contents that keep growing fast: business intelligence

and data mining. Everyday more and more enterprises require these services, mainly to try and understand

customers behaviour and also to identify the best business strategy according to market conditions. In

these areas, there is an important joint work between the industry and the academy. Typically this research

is conducted at universities (most of them located in the Metropolitan Region) and the development is

performed by the industry.

Finally, there are also important initiatives in e-science which are focused on processing large amounts of

data to generate new knowledge. The most important ICT initiatives in that sense involve large astronomy

projects located in northern Chile, such as Alma, La Silla, Paranal and Cerro Tololo observatories. The most

important ones belong to the European Southern Observatory (ESO) [13]. The research and development

performed by these astronomy centres have a small participation of the Chilean ICT research community.

Other interesting e-science initiatives are related to the monitoring of seismic and volcanic activity in Chile.

Most of these initiatives are data intensive and are led mainly by universities located in the Metropolitan

and VIII Regions.


3.5 Area 5: ICT for Health, Ageing Well, Inclusion and Governance

This research area is growing every day; however, it still maintains a low level of research and development.

In healthcare, most efforts involve the use of advanced technologies developed in other countries. Although

ICT solutions play an important role in the Chilean healthcare system, research initiatives focused on

this application domain are few and most of them are performed by universities located in the capital of

Santiago.

The ICT research and development for governance is a well developed area in Chile. The government has

been working with the universities and ICT private companies during the last years in order to design

an incremental e-government system. Based on the cooperative work between the government and the

universities, several important results have been obtained; for example (1) the digital invoice that today is

used by many Chilean organisations, (2) the adoption of XML as standard for digital data representation, (3)

the guidelines for representing schema and metadata in formal documents of the Chilean government, and

(4) the official repository of schema and metadata for public organisations. These e-government initiatives

involve important research and development efforts that are performed mainly byuniversities located in

Santiago. Security, trustworthy information and privacy, digital signature, data and services interoperability

and data representation are some of the research lines related to this area. Researchers working on these

areas are located almost exclusively in universities of the Metropolitan Region.

3.6 Area 6: ICT for a Low Carbon Economy

This research area has not been sufficiently explored in Chile. The research task force is very small and it is

located in some few universities in the city of Santiago. Although there are several government agencies

responsible for monitoring certain topics such as energy consumption or CO2 emissions, these agencies are

not performing or supporting research work that contributes to improve the current situation. Renewable

resources, energy and water management and the efficient use of these resources share a similar situation

in terms of improvement possibilities. However, during the last 2-3 years, the Chilean Government has

started to promote these research lines as relevant for the country; therefore it is possible to assume the

research activity in such areas will grow fast and soon.


3.7 Area 7: ICT for the Enterprise and Manufacturing

ICT solutions for the Enterprise and Manufacturing are mainly focused on increasing the productive

capability of enterprises and reducing their direct costs. The goal of most ICT solutions in this area is to

automate processes. Sensor-based systems, laser systems and industrial robots are exceptional components

of regular productive systems; except in the mining industry where such technologies are part of regular

processes.

ICT solutions to support virtual factories and enterprises are still pending. The level of enterprises integration

in Chile is low. Most enterprises use ICT solutions to model and manage their internal processes, but they

do not seem interested in creating inter-organisational processes. Research work in this area is focused on

data and services interoperability, optimisation and business processes modelling. The research in ICT for

the enterprise and manufacturing is quite small; however, the professional activity in this area is important

and relevant for the country. Since most companies in Chile are small and medium-sized, the adoption of

ICT solutions is slow mainly because of budgetary reasons.

3.8 Area 8: ICT for Learning and Access to Cultural Resources

The most important research and development efforts in this area have been focused on supporting public

education and overcoming the digital divide. The Enlaces project (http://www.enlaces.cl) was pioneer in

the development and use of digital content to support education. However, during the last years, there

have been several other government initiatives to address the digital inclusion challenge into most Chilean

communities. Today, it is possible to say that thedigital inclusion in Chile is one of the most important of

Latin America. Research work in this area includes the development of learning material and learning

objects repositories, development of courseware tools and delivery of training services through the Internet.

Recently, telecommunication companies have started joint initiatives with universities in order to generate

services for mobile phones which support people in daily activities such as education, professional work

or simply entertainment. Services based on cellular phones seem to be a highly promising area for ICT

solutions.

The demand for training and learning increases every year. Many private and public organisations are

investing in the education of their employees, and therefore the services become more and more competitive

and demanding. Research work focused on new ways to deliver educational contents or new dynamics

to conduct an unattended instructional process make a difference in the quality of the delivered services.

Computer scientists and researchers in science education collaborate to deal with most of these challenges.

Although the research task force in this area is quite spread along Chile, research centres located in the

Metropolitan and IX Region concentrate most scientists working in these research lines.


3.9 Area 9: Future and Emerging Technologies

This is a small but highly promising area in Chile. Researchers of several areas are contributing to solve

particular problems related to the use of current technologies. For example: filtering spam, dealing with

privacy and security issues, retrieving information from the Internet, understanding virus propagation

or enhancing communication in wireless networks. All these research efforts will help to create new

technologies to support current and future activities towards an always-connected society. Pervasive

and ubiquitous computing becomes more and more tangible in several work scenarios such as security

and healthcare. Social computing is also a paradigm widely spread in Chile, which has opened several

research opportunities for universities and enterprises. The use of social information to support business

processes is an unexplored opportunity for the Chilean market. Semantic data definition and management

for particular application domains are also part of the research work done in this area. Such research lines

are being explored almost exclusively in universities located at the Metropolitan and VIII Region. Although

this research community is still small, they are growing due to the clear relevance they will have in the

future of the Chilean society.

Annex 1: Research Centres by Area of Research

Next sections present the list of Research Centres by area of research.

Area 1: Pervasive and Trusted Network and Service InfrastructuresThe following Research Centres are already working on subjects related to Pervasive and Trusted Network

and Service Infrastructures.


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State of the Art: Information and Communication Technologies in Chile

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