Need to certify wireless equipment in Chile but don't know the difference between WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and RFID? This technical guide explains the unique characteristics of each technology, their specific certification requirements, and how to comply with SUBTEL regulations under Resolution 737.
With 21 years certifying more than 1,500 short-range devices, at Certificación Telecom we know the particularities of each technology.
Quick comparison: WiFi vs Bluetooth vs Zigbee vs RFID
| Characteristic | WiFi | Bluetooth | Zigbee | RFID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical range | 50-100m | 10-100m | 10-100m | 0.1-10m |
| Main frequency | 2.4/5/6 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 2.4 GHz | 125 kHz - 915 MHz |
| Data speed | High (Mbps-Gbps) | Medium (1-3 Mbps) | Low (250 kbps) | Very low |
| Power consumption | High | Medium-Low | Very low | Minimal/Passive |
| Typical use | Internet, video | Audio, wearables | Home automation, sensors | Identification |
| Certification complexity | Medium-High | Medium | Medium | Low-Medium |
WiFi: High bandwidth equipment certification
WiFi is the world's most popular wireless connectivity technology, based on the IEEE 802.11 standard.
WiFi technical specifications in Chile
- Authorized bands:
- 2.4 GHz: Channels 1-13 (2400-2483.5 MHz)
- 5 GHz: UNII-1, UNII-2A, UNII-2C, UNII-3 bands (5150-5850 MHz)
- 6 GHz: Under evaluation by SUBTEL (WiFi 6E)
- Maximum power: Variable by band (typically 20-30 dBm EIRP)
- Common standards: 802.11n (WiFi 4), 802.11ac (WiFi 5), 802.11ax (WiFi 6)
WiFi equipment we certify
- Residential and enterprise routers
- Access Points (AP)
- IoT devices with WiFi (IP cameras, thermostats, locks)
- Mesh WiFi systems
Specific WiFi certification requirements
- Mandatory RF tests: In-band and out-of-band emissions, maximum power, EIRP
- EMC: Conducted and radiated emissions, immunity
- DFS: If operating in 5 GHz bands requiring radar detection
Time and cost: 2-4 weeks, from $400,000 CLP to $1,500,000 CLP
Bluetooth: Personal connectivity device certification
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless communication technology. Two variants exist: Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
Bluetooth technical specifications in Chile
- Frequency band: 2.4 GHz (2400-2483.5 MHz)
- Channels: 79 channels of 1 MHz (Classic) or 40 channels of 2 MHz (BLE)
- Maximum power:
- Class 1: 100 mW (20 dBm) - Range ~100m
- Class 2: 2.5 mW (4 dBm) - Range ~10m (most common)
- Class 3: 1 mW (0 dBm) - Range ~1m
Bluetooth equipment we certify
- Headphones and earbuds (TWS, over-ear)
- Wireless speakers
- Wearables (smartwatches, fitness bands)
- Wireless keyboards and mice
- BLE beacons
Specific Bluetooth certification requirements
- RF tests: Transmission power, spectral density, frequency hopping
- EMC: Emissions and electromagnetic susceptibility
- BLE vs Classic: Clearly identify which version is implemented
Time and cost: 1-3 weeks, from $350,000 CLP to $1,200,000 CLP
Zigbee: Mesh network device certification
Zigbee is a wireless communication protocol specifically designed for low power consumption applications in sensor networks and home automation.
Zigbee technical specifications in Chile
- Frequency band: 2.4 GHz (2400-2483.5 MHz)
- Channels: 16 channels of 5 MHz (channel 11 to 26)
- Typical power: 0-10 dBm (1-10 mW)
- Data speed: 250 kbps
- Base standard: IEEE 802.15.4
- Topology: Star, tree, or mesh
Zigbee equipment we certify
- Smart sensors (temperature, humidity, motion)
- Smart lighting controllers
- Thermostats and smart locks
- Zigbee gateways/hubs
Specific Zigbee certification requirements
- RF tests: Emissions, power, interference with other 2.4 GHz devices
- EMC: Particularly important in industrial applications
- Interoperability: If part of ecosystem (Matter, Zigbee 3.0)
Time and cost: 1-3 weeks, from $350,000 CLP to $900,000 CLP
RFID: Radio frequency identification system certification
RFID is an automatic identification technology that uses electromagnetic fields to transfer data via tags and readers.
RFID technical specifications in Chile
- RFID frequency bands:
- LF (Low Frequency): 125-134 kHz - Short range (~10cm), access control
- HF (High Frequency): 13.56 MHz - Medium range (~1m), NFC, payment cards
- UHF (Ultra High Frequency): 915 MHz - Long range (~10m), logistics
- Passive vs active tags: Passive (no battery) vs Active (with battery, longer range)
RFID equipment we certify
- Fixed and portable RFID readers (LF, HF, UHF)
- Active tags (with transmitter)
- RFID access control systems
- NFC readers
Specific RFID certification requirements
- Frequency and band: Certification varies by frequency (LF, HF, UHF)
- Radiated power: Critical in UHF systems
- Passive tags: Generally don't require certification (readers do)
Time and cost: 1-5 weeks, from $300,000 CLP to $1,200,000 CLP
How to choose which technology to certify?
If you manufacture or import equipment integrating multiple technologies (smartphone with WiFi + Bluetooth, hub with Zigbee + WiFi), you need to certify each technology separately.
Decision by use case
- High internet speed? → WiFi
- Audio or wearables? → Bluetooth
- Low-power sensor network? → Zigbee
- Battery-free identification? → RFID (passive)
- Long-range tracking? → RFID (active UHF)
Certification complexity by technology
| Technology | Documentation | Lab testing | Complexity |
|---|---|---|---|
| WiFi | High (multiple bands) | Required (RF + EMC + DFS) | High |
| Bluetooth | Medium | Required (RF + EMC) | Medium |
| Zigbee | Medium | Required (RF + EMC) | Medium |
| RFID LF/HF | Low-Medium | Recommended | Low-Medium |
| RFID UHF | Medium | Required (RF + EMC) | Medium |
Process under Resolution 737
The good news is that under SUBTEL Resolution 737 (effective February 2026), the process has been simplified for all these technologies:
- Gather technical documentation (specific to each technology)
- Generate compliance page with technical information
- Create QR code pointing to the page
- Include QR on packaging per SUBTEL specifications
- Commercialize legally in Chile
Exception: Medical devices using these technologies still require traditional SUBTEL certification.
Common mistakes when certifying wireless equipment
1. Confusing the equipment technology
Always verify the exact technical specifications of the RF module before starting.
2. Not verifying authorized frequency bands
WiFi 5 GHz devices that work in the USA may operate on channels NOT authorized in Chile.
3. Forgetting to certify each technology in multi-radio equipment
An IoT gateway with WiFi + Zigbee requires two certifications, not one.
4. Ignoring DFS requirements in WiFi 5 GHz
If your router operates in certain 5 GHz bands, it must include DFS (radar detection).
Frequently asked questions
Can I certify equipment that has both WiFi + Bluetooth?
Yes, but you need to document and certify both technologies. It's more efficient to do everything together with the same agent.
Do pre-certified modules (FCC, CE) simplify the process?
Yes, significantly. RF documentation is already available, reducing time and costs.
Are Zigbee and Thread/Matter the same?
Not exactly. Zigbee uses IEEE 802.15.4 as the physical layer. Thread also uses 802.15.4, and Matter is an application standard. For SUBTEL, you certify the RF layer.
Which technology is fastest to certify?
RFID LF/HF and Zigbee are generally the fastest (1-2 weeks). Multi-band WiFi is the most complex (3-4 weeks).
Related resources
Need help with your certification?
Our team of experts can guide you through the SUBTEL certification process and ensure compliance with Resolution 737.
Contact Us