Does an Apple AirTag need SUBTEL certification in Chile?

Yes. The AirTag contains two radio modules: UWB (literal j.6) for high-precision positioning and Bluetooth Low Energy (literal j.1) for the Find My network. Both are short-range equipment under Resolution 1985 and require a compliance page with QR code under Track 2 of Resolution 737. Responsibility falls on the authorized importer (Apple Chile or authorized distributors).

What is UWB and why does it need SUBTEL compliance?

UWB (Ultra-Wideband) is a radio technology that transmits very short pulses over an extremely wide bandwidth (3.1-10.6 GHz), enabling indoor positioning with centimeter-level accuracy. Although its average power is very low, it is a short-range device regulated by literal j.6 of Resolution 1985. Since February 2026, all UWB devices sold in Chile require a SUBTEL QR code (Track 2).

Does an iPhone with a UWB chip need to declare UWB on its compliance page?

Yes. Since iPhone 11, all iPhones include the UWB U1 or U2 chip. The iPhone's compliance page must declare ALL RF modules: WiFi (2.4/5/6 GHz), Bluetooth (2.4 GHz), NFC (13.56 MHz), and UWB (literal j.6). Each module is documented separately with its corresponding bands and test reports.

What is the UWB operating frequency?

UWB primarily operates in the 3.1-10.6 GHz band for indoor communication and positioning, and optionally on 22-29 GHz for vehicle radar. The most commercially used channels are Channel 5 (~6.5 GHz) and Channel 9 (~8 GHz) from the IEEE 802.15.4z standard. Average power is extremely low — the ~2 nanosecond pulses are spread across the entire bandwidth, enabling coexistence with WiFi and cellular without significant interference.

Do UWB digital car keys need a SUBTEL QR?

Yes. UWB modules integrated in vehicles (BMW, Tesla, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz) for digital keys are short-range equipment under literal j.6. The vehicle or electronic module importer is responsible for Resolution 737 compliance. This also applies to aftermarket UWB accessories for automobiles.

UWB Chile: Ultra-Wideband, AirTag & Positioning — SUBTEL | Resolution 737

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UWB (Ultra-Wideband) in Chile

SUBTEL compliance for UWB devices like AirTag, digital keys, and indoor positioning in Chile

No devices in catalog yet

UWB (Ultra-Wideband) is the only category of short-range equipment that retains the prior formal certification regime before SUBTEL under Resolution 737. There are no devices with this technology in our public catalog yet — implantable medical devices are uncommon in the open market and are usually handled one-by-one with the manufacturer.

Regulatory category

Literal j.6 of Resolution 1985

UWB (Ultra-Wideband) falls under literal j.6 of Resolution 1985, dedicated to ultra-wideband devices. It is defined as any device with fractional bandwidth ≥0.20 or -10 dB bandwidth ≥500 MHz. The main indoor communication band is 3.1-10.6 GHz (Appendix 1 of Resolution 1985). UWB is a very low-power technology that coexists with other bands without causing significant interference, allowing license-free use.

Apple AirTag, Samsung SmartTag+ and UWB trackers

UWB object trackers are the most consumer-visible application of this technology. Apple AirTag (U1/U2 chip), Samsung Galaxy SmartTag+, and Chipolo ONE Spot use UWB for high-precision positioning (±10 cm) within direct range, combined with the participant Bluetooth device network for global location. These devices typically contain two radios: UWB (literal j.6) and Bluetooth Low Energy (literal j.1). The SUBTEL compliance page must declare BOTH RF modules with their respective test reports.

Digital car keys (Car Key UWB)

BMW, Tesla, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, and other manufacturers use UWB for digital car keys: the smartphone detects the driver's exact position relative to the vehicle and unlocks the correct door automatically. Unlike Bluetooth keys that only detect proximity, UWB measures distance and angle with centimeter precision, eliminating relay attacks (signal amplification). UWB modules in these vehicles fall under literal j.6 and require Resolution 737 compliance like any short-range device imported into Chile.

UWB in smartphones: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Pixel

Since iPhone 11 (2019), Apple includes the UWB U1 chip (and U2 since iPhone 15) in its smartphones. Samsung integrates UWB in the Galaxy S and Z lines from the S21 onward. Google added it to Pixel 6 Pro and later models. UWB in smartphones enables: precise AirTag/SmartTag location, digital car keys, directional AirDrop (Apple only), and proximity detection for smart home automation. For SUBTEL, the smartphone's UWB module is declared alongside WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC on the same compliance page.

Frequency bands authorized in Chile

Band	Range	Maximum power	Typical use
UWB Indoor / Portátil (3.1-10.6 GHz)	3.1 – 10.6 GHz	Not applicable (limited by field strength)	High-precision indoor positioning (±10 cm), AirTag/SmartTag+, digital car keys (BMW, Tesla, Genesis), presence detection, short-range data transfer, augmented reality (AR) with spatial positioning
UWB Radar vehicular (22-29 GHz)	22 – 29 GHz	Not applicable (limited by field strength)	Vehicle field-disturbance sensors (passenger detection, proximity-based door opening)

UWB Indoor / Portátil (3.1-10.6 GHz): Emission limit is defined by a spectral mask (power density per MHz) per Appendix 1 of Resolution 1985, not by total radiated power. UWB transmits very short pulses (~2 ns) with extremely low average power, enabling coexistence with WiFi, cellular, and other bands. The most commercially used channels are Channel 5 (6.5 GHz) and Channel 9 (8 GHz) from the IEEE 802.15.4z standard.
UWB Radar vehicular (22-29 GHz): Only operates with vehicle engine running. Center frequency must be above 24.075 GHz. Appendix 1 § 3 of Resolution 1985 applies.

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, UWB (Ultra-Wideband) 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.

View Resolution 737 on BCN

Edge cases and common compliance mistakes

UWB is prohibited in toys, aircraft, ships, and satellites (literal j.6 of Resolution 1985). A drone with a UWB module for indoor positioning CANNOT be imported under the short-range equipment regime — it requires a case-by-case regulatory analysis.
Most UWB devices also include Bluetooth (AirTag = UWB + BLE, smartphone = UWB + WiFi + BT + NFC). The compliance page must declare ALL RF modules, not just UWB. Omitting the BLE module because 'UWB is the primary technology' leaves the declaration incomplete.
UWB emission limits are defined by spectral mask (power density per MHz), not by total radiated power like WiFi or Bluetooth. The manufacturer's test report must include spectral density measurements per the specifications in Appendix 1 of Resolution 1985. A test report that only measures total power in dBm may be insufficient.

No devices in our public catalog

UWB (Ultra-Wideband) devices are uncommon in our public catalog because they still require Track 1 formal certification before SUBTEL under Resolution 737. If you need to process one, contact us: we manage the full process, from the test report to the SUBTEL submission.

Related technologies

Frequently asked questions about UWB (Ultra-Wideband)

Does an Apple AirTag need SUBTEL certification in Chile?: Yes. The AirTag contains two radio modules: UWB (literal j.6) for high-precision positioning and Bluetooth Low Energy (literal j.1) for the Find My network. Both are short-range equipment under Resolution 1985 and require a compliance page with QR code under Track 2 of Resolution 737. Responsibility falls on the authorized importer (Apple Chile or authorized distributors).
What is UWB and why does it need SUBTEL compliance?: UWB (Ultra-Wideband) is a radio technology that transmits very short pulses over an extremely wide bandwidth (3.1-10.6 GHz), enabling indoor positioning with centimeter-level accuracy. Although its average power is very low, it is a short-range device regulated by literal j.6 of Resolution 1985. Since February 2026, all UWB devices sold in Chile require a SUBTEL QR code (Track 2).
Does an iPhone with a UWB chip need to declare UWB on its compliance page?: Yes. Since iPhone 11, all iPhones include the UWB U1 or U2 chip. The iPhone's compliance page must declare ALL RF modules: WiFi (2.4/5/6 GHz), Bluetooth (2.4 GHz), NFC (13.56 MHz), and UWB (literal j.6). Each module is documented separately with its corresponding bands and test reports.
What is the UWB operating frequency?: UWB primarily operates in the 3.1-10.6 GHz band for indoor communication and positioning, and optionally on 22-29 GHz for vehicle radar. The most commercially used channels are Channel 5 (~6.5 GHz) and Channel 9 (~8 GHz) from the IEEE 802.15.4z standard. Average power is extremely low — the ~2 nanosecond pulses are spread across the entire bandwidth, enabling coexistence with WiFi and cellular without significant interference.
Do UWB digital car keys need a SUBTEL QR?: Yes. UWB modules integrated in vehicles (BMW, Tesla, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz) for digital keys are short-range equipment under literal j.6. The vehicle or electronic module importer is responsible for Resolution 737 compliance. This also applies to aftermarket UWB accessories for automobiles.

Need to certify equipment in Chile?