Thread in Chile
SUBTEL compliance for Thread devices (IEEE 802.15.4 / IPv6 mesh) under Resolution 737 in Chile
1 device in catalog
There are 1 Thread devices with Resolution 737 SUBTEL compliance information in our public catalog. The entire line with this technology belongs to the category Computadora de escritorio (iMac) (1 devices, 100%). The 1 brands with the strongest presence are Apple (1 devices). All 1 products come from verifiable external sources: authorized validators, public manufacturer catalogs and Chilean retailer registries.
Regulatory category
Literal j.1 of Resolution 1985
Thread operates on the 2.4 GHz ISM band using the IEEE 802.15.4 standard (the same physical layer as Zigbee) and falls under literal j.1 of Resolution 1985 — the same literal as WiFi, Bluetooth, and Zigbee. The O-QPSK modulation with DSSS at 250 kbps meets the spread-spectrum requirement of literal j.1. For SUBTEL, Thread and Zigbee are regulatorily equivalent: same radio, same literal, same obligation. The difference lies in the network layers (native IPv6 in Thread vs proprietary protocol in Zigbee), which SUBTEL does not regulate.
Thread and IPv6 mesh: a network with no single point of failure
Thread is an IPv6 mesh protocol created by the Thread Group (founded in 2014 by ARM, Samsung, Nest/Google, Freescale, Silicon Labs, and Yale). Unlike Zigbee, which depends on a central coordinator, Thread forms a self-healing mesh network where any router can assume the leader role if the current one fails. Every Thread device gets a unique IPv6 address thanks to 6LoWPAN (IPv6 header compression), enabling end-to-end communication with standard internet protocols. The network supports 250+ devices per partition, with Sleepy End Devices that can run for years on a CR2032 battery.
Thread Border Router: bridging mesh and home network
A Thread Border Router (TBR) connects the Thread mesh (IEEE 802.15.4) to the home IP network (WiFi or Ethernet). It enables Thread devices to communicate with the internet and non-Thread devices. The most common TBRs in Chile are: Apple HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K (2021+), Google Nest Hub (2nd gen), Google Nest WiFi Pro, Amazon Echo (4th gen), and Eero 6/6+/Pro 6E routers. A home can have multiple Border Routers for redundancy — if one goes offline, the others maintain connectivity. For SUBTEL compliance, TBRs are multi-radio devices (802.15.4 + WiFi + BLE) and each module must be declared separately in Section B.
Thread and Matter: the preferred transport for interoperable smart home
Thread is the preferred low-power transport for Matter, the interoperability standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA). When a device is 'Matter over Thread', it uses the IEEE 802.15.4 radio as transport and Matter as the application layer. This combination enables sensors, locks, and bulbs from different brands to work with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings simultaneously, all communicating over the local Thread mesh without cloud dependency. For SUBTEL, what matters is the radio (802.15.4, literal j.1), not the application protocol (Matter).
Thread vs Zigbee: same radio, different protocol
Thread and Zigbee share exactly the same physical layer (IEEE 802.15.4 at 2.4 GHz, O-QPSK, 250 kbps) but are completely different and NOT interoperable network protocols. A Zigbee sensor cannot join a Thread mesh and vice versa, even if they use the same radio chip (e.g., Silicon Labs EFR32MG24 or TI CC2652 support both protocols but not simultaneously on the same network). Key differences: Thread is IPv6-native, doesn't require a proprietary hub, self-heals, and natively supports Matter. Zigbee has a proprietary network protocol, requires a central coordinator, and needs a bridge to integrate with Matter. For SUBTEL, both are regulatorily identical: literal j.1, Track 2, 2.4 GHz.
Frequency bands authorized in Chile
| Band | Range | Maximum power | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 GHz ISM (IEEE 802.15.4) | 2.4 – 2.484 GHz | 1 W (30 dBm) | Smart home sensors (Eve, Nanoleaf), digital locks (Yale Assure Lock 2), Thread Border Routers (Apple HomePod mini, Google Nest Hub, Amazon Echo 4th gen, Eero), scene controllers, Matter-over-Thread devices |
- 2.4 GHz ISM (IEEE 802.15.4): IEEE 802.15.4 uses 16 channels (11-26, each 5 MHz wide) with O-QPSK + DSSS modulation at 250 kbps. Typical commercial Thread device power: 0 to +8 dBm (1-6 mW) — well below the legal limit of 1 W EIRP. Thread Border Routers also contain WiFi and BLE radios, which must be declared separately on the compliance page.
Source: SUBTEL Resolution 1985 EXENTA — official text on BCN. View Resolution 1985 on BCN
Regime under Resolution 737
Track 2 — Compliance QR + self-declaration
Since February 22, 2026, Thread devices no longer require prior formal certification before SUBTEL. They do require a public compliance page accessible via a QR code on the packaging, declaring bands, power, RF modules, importer with legal address in Chile, and a reference to the test report.
Brands with Thread devices
Most frequent equipment types
Computadora de escritorio (iMac) (1)
Edge cases and common compliance mistakes
- Thread and Zigbee use the same IEEE 802.15.4 radio but are NOT interoperable. Importers should not market Thread devices as 'Zigbee compatible' or vice versa. A consumer who buys a Thread sensor expecting it to work with their Zigbee hub will have a problem.
- Thread Border Routers (Apple HomePod mini, Google Nest Hub, Amazon Echo) are multi-radio devices: they contain IEEE 802.15.4 (Thread) + WiFi 802.11 + Bluetooth LE. Each radio module must be declared separately on the SUBTEL compliance page. Omitting the 802.15.4 radio because 'it's just the Thread antenna' leaves the declaration incomplete.
- Firmware updates can add Thread support to devices that only had Zigbee (example: IKEA DIRIGERA). The RF hardware doesn't change, but the device's capabilities do. The compliance page documents the physical radio module (802.15.4), not the software protocol, so the declaration remains valid.
- Do not confuse Thread Group certification with SUBTEL compliance. Thread certification verifies interoperability between Thread devices — it's voluntary and commercial. SUBTEL compliance under Resolution 737 is mandatory and regulatory: it covers RF emissions, power, and bands. They are completely independent processes.
Devices in our database with this technology
Devices with Thread: Apple iMac 24" M4 (2024).
Devices with Thread
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| iMac 24" M4 (2024) |  | A3247 | No group | Computadora de escritorio (iMac) | External |
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Frequently asked questions about Thread
- What is Thread and how does it differ from Zigbee?
- Thread is an IPv6 mesh protocol for IoT based on the same IEEE 802.15.4 physical layer at 2.4 GHz as Zigbee. The key difference is that Thread is IP-native: every device gets an IPv6 address, no proprietary hub is needed, and the network self-heals if a node fails. Zigbee uses a proprietary network protocol that requires a central coordinator. For SUBTEL purposes, both are equivalent: literal j.1 of Resolution 1985, Track 2 under Resolution 737.
- Do Thread devices need SUBTEL compliance in Chile?
- Yes. Under Resolution 737 (effective since February 2026), Thread devices comply through a compliance page and QR code on packaging (Track 2, literal j.1). This applies to sensors, bulbs, locks, and any device transmitting on 2.4 GHz using IEEE 802.15.4.
- Does Thread replace WiFi?
- No. Thread and WiFi are complementary. Thread is designed for low-power IoT devices (sensors, locks, bulbs) that need years of battery life and mesh communication. WiFi is for high-bandwidth devices (cameras, displays, streaming). In a typical smart home, a Thread Border Router connects the Thread mesh to the home WiFi/Ethernet network.
- What is a Thread Border Router?
- It is a device that connects the Thread mesh (IEEE 802.15.4 network) to the home IP network (WiFi or Ethernet). Common examples in Chile: Apple HomePod mini, Apple TV 4K, Google Nest Hub (2nd gen), and Amazon Echo (4th gen). A Border Router typically has multiple radios (802.15.4 + WiFi + Bluetooth), and each must be documented on the SUBTEL compliance page.
- Does Thread work with Matter?
- Yes. Thread is the preferred low-power transport for Matter. When a device is 'Matter over Thread', it uses the IEEE 802.15.4 radio at 2.4 GHz as transport and Matter as the application layer. For SUBTEL, what matters is the radio (802.15.4, literal j.1), not the application protocol (Matter).
- What frequencies does Thread use in Chile?
- Thread operates exclusively on the 2.4 GHz ISM band (2400-2483.5 MHz), using channels 11-26 of the IEEE 802.15.4 standard. This band is regulated in Chile under literal j.1 of Resolution 1985 with a 1 W EIRP limit. Commercial Thread devices typically transmit between 1 and 6 mW, well below the legal limit.
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