What is Z-Wave and what frequency does it use in Chile?

Z-Wave is a sub-GHz mesh wireless protocol designed for home automation. In Chile it operates on the Americas frequency: 908.42 MHz (primary) and 916 MHz (secondary/Long Range). Both fall within the 902-928 MHz ISM band authorized by SUBTEL. Unlike Zigbee and Thread at 2.4 GHz, Z-Wave uses sub-GHz frequencies for better wall penetration and zero WiFi interference.

Does a European Z-Wave device work in Chile?

No. Z-Wave devices are region-locked at the hardware level. European Z-Wave operates at 868.42 MHz, which falls outside Chile's authorized window (868.175-868.375 MHz). Chile requires Americas-region Z-Wave (908.42 MHz). Importing European Z-Wave from Amazon.es or AliExpress is a costly mistake — it cannot be reconfigured.

Do Z-Wave devices need SUBTEL compliance in Chile?

Yes. Z-Wave devices require a QR code under Track 2 of Resolution 737 since February 2026. This includes hubs, locks, sensors, switches, dimmers, and any device transmitting on 908.42 or 916 MHz. The compliance page must declare frequency, EIRP power, modulation (FSK/GFSK), and all RF modules.

Is Z-Wave compatible with Matter?

The Z-Wave Alliance has announced Matter-over-Z-Wave support, but practical implementation remains limited as of 2026. In practice, hubs like SmartThings and Hubitat expose Z-Wave devices to Matter controllers via a software bridge. The Z-Wave radio does not natively carry Matter like Thread does.

Does Z-Wave work without internet?

Yes. Z-Wave is a local mesh protocol that works without internet. The hub controls all devices directly via radio. You lose remote app control, but local automation and physical switch control continue working.

What is Z-Wave Long Range?

Z-Wave Long Range (LR) is an 800-series extension enabling ranges up to 1.6 km line-of-sight using 916 MHz with star topology. It supports up to 4,000 devices. For SUBTEL, Z-Wave LR at 916 MHz falls under literal j.3 (500 mW) or j.4 (1 W in 913-919 MHz). Requires an 800-series hub.

Z-Wave Chile: 908 MHz Sub-GHz Home Automation — SUBTEL Certification | Resolution 737

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Z-Wave in Chile

SUBTEL compliance for Z-Wave devices (908 MHz) — sub-GHz home automation under Resolution 737 in Chile

No devices in catalog yet

Z-Wave 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.2, j.3, j.4 of Resolution 1985

Z-Wave operates at 908.42 MHz (primary channel) and 916 MHz (secondary/Long Range channel) in the Americas region — the version used in Chile. The primary frequency 908.42 MHz falls within the 902-928 MHz band authorized under literal j.2 of Resolution 1985 (7 mW). The 916 MHz frequency also qualifies under literals j.3 (500 mW with spread spectrum) and j.4 (1 W in the 913-919 MHz sub-range). The applicable literal depends on the device's power and modulation. IMPORTANT: European Z-Wave devices (868.42 MHz) are illegal in Chile — the 868.42 MHz frequency falls outside the authorized Chilean window (868.175-868.375 MHz).

Z-Wave and the sub-GHz band in Chile (908.42 MHz)

Z-Wave is the only major home automation protocol that operates on sub-GHz frequencies. While WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, and Thread compete in the crowded 2.4 GHz band, Z-Wave has the 908 MHz band practically to itself in Chile. This gives it two concrete advantages: better wall penetration (sub-GHz signals pass through concrete and brick with less attenuation) and zero interference from WiFi routers. The trade-off is lower bandwidth (100 kbps vs 250 kbps for 802.15.4 or 600+ Mbps for WiFi), but for home automation commands (turning on a light, reporting a sensor) the data payloads are tiny and bandwidth is irrelevant.

Z-Wave Long Range (800 series): up to 1.6 km range

The Z-Wave 800 series (based on the Silicon Labs EFR32ZG23 chip) introduced Z-Wave Long Range (LR): an extension enabling ranges up to 1.6 km line-of-sight using 916 MHz with star topology (not mesh) for LR nodes. Z-Wave LR supports up to 4,000 nodes per network (vs 232 in classic Z-Wave). Hubs must be 800-series to support LR — a 500 or 700 series hub cannot communicate with LR nodes. For SUBTEL, Z-Wave LR at 916 MHz can fall under literals j.3 (500 mW) or j.4 (up to 1 W in 913-919 MHz), with higher power limits than the j.2 literal applicable to 908.42 MHz.

Regional compatibility: why frequency matters when importing

Z-Wave devices are region-locked at the hardware level. A European (868.42 MHz), Asian, or any other region Z-Wave device CANNOT be reconfigured to operate on 908.42 MHz. Chile requires Americas region (US) devices. The European frequency 868.42 MHz falls outside Chile's authorized window in that band (only 868.175-868.375 MHz), meaning a European Z-Wave is directly illegal in Chile. Importers buying from Amazon.es, Amazon.de, or AliExpress with shipping from Europe must verify the device is 'US' or 'Americas' version before purchasing — the mistake is costly because it has no fix.

Z-Wave vs Zigbee: key differences for smart home in Chile

Z-Wave and Zigbee are the two most mature mesh protocols for home automation, but they differ fundamentally in frequency: Z-Wave operates at 908 MHz (sub-GHz, literals j.2/j.3/j.4), Zigbee at 2.4 GHz (literal j.1). Z-Wave has better wall penetration and zero WiFi interference, but depends on a single chip manufacturer (Silicon Labs). Zigbee has multiple chip vendors, a larger installed base (Philips Hue, IKEA, Aqara), and is the foundation of the Thread/Matter ecosystem. Z-Wave supports 232 devices per network, Zigbee theoretically 65,000. Regulatorily, both require a SUBTEL QR under Track 2, but under different literals of Resolution 1985.

Frequency bands authorized in Chile

Band	Range	Maximum power	Typical use
908.42 MHz — Z-Wave Americas (primario)	902 – 928 MHz	7 mW (8.5 dBm)	Z-Wave Americas primary channel: hubs, locks (Schlage, Yale, Kwikset), sensors (motion, door/window, water, smoke), switches, dimmers, plugs, thermostats, garage controllers
916 MHz — Z-Wave Americas (secundario/LR)	915 – 928 MHz	500 mW (27 dBm)	Z-Wave secondary channel and Z-Wave Long Range (800 series): long-range sensors, outdoor devices, network extenders

908.42 MHz — Z-Wave Americas (primario): Literal j.2 authorizes 902-928 MHz at only 7 mW. Z-Wave Classic and Plus devices typically transmit between 1 and 25 mW (0 to +14 dBm). Most operate within 7 mW, but higher-power devices may need to declare 916 MHz under j.3/j.4 with higher limits.
916 MHz — Z-Wave Americas (secundario/LR): 916 MHz falls within the range of literal j.3 (500 mW with spread spectrum) and j.4 (1 W in 913-919 MHz). Z-Wave Long Range (800 series) can reach up to 1.6 km line-of-sight using star topology (not mesh). The hub must be 800-series to support LR.

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, Z-Wave 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

European Z-Wave devices (868.42 MHz) are ILLEGAL in Chile. The frequency is hardware-locked and cannot be changed. The 868.42 MHz frequency falls outside Chile's authorized window (868.175-868.375 MHz). Only Americas region Z-Wave devices (908.42 MHz) are legal. Sellers on Amazon.es, Amazon.de, and AliExpress with European warehouses ship the EU version by default.
Z-Wave ALWAYS requires a hub/controller. Unlike Thread (any Border Router) or WiFi (direct router connection), Z-Wave needs a dedicated controller: USB sticks (Aeotec Z-Stick, Zooz ZST39), hubs (SmartThings, Hubitat, HomeSeer), or software (Home Assistant with Z-Wave JS). No hub, no Z-Wave network. The hub is also an RF device that needs a SUBTEL QR.
The primary Z-Wave frequency (908.42 MHz) falls below the 915 MHz floor of literals j.3, j.4, and k. Under strict interpretation, 908.42 MHz only qualifies under literal j.2 with a 7 mW limit. Most Z-Wave devices transmit at 1-6 mW (within the limit), but higher-power devices must use 916 MHz to qualify under literals with higher limits. The test report must cite the correct literal.

Official SUBTEL OIRS clarifications

“Short-range equipment operating in the frequency bands specified in Resolution 1985 of 2017 and its modifications are subject to the compliance regime established by Resolution 737 of 2025.”
— SUBTEL OIRS, March 2026

No devices in our public catalog

Z-Wave 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 Z-Wave

What is Z-Wave and what frequency does it use in Chile?: Z-Wave is a sub-GHz mesh wireless protocol designed for home automation. In Chile it operates on the Americas frequency: 908.42 MHz (primary) and 916 MHz (secondary/Long Range). Both fall within the 902-928 MHz ISM band authorized by SUBTEL. Unlike Zigbee and Thread at 2.4 GHz, Z-Wave uses sub-GHz frequencies for better wall penetration and zero WiFi interference.
Does a European Z-Wave device work in Chile?: No. Z-Wave devices are region-locked at the hardware level. European Z-Wave operates at 868.42 MHz, which falls outside Chile's authorized window (868.175-868.375 MHz). Chile requires Americas-region Z-Wave (908.42 MHz). Importing European Z-Wave from Amazon.es or AliExpress is a costly mistake — it cannot be reconfigured.
Do Z-Wave devices need SUBTEL compliance in Chile?: Yes. Z-Wave devices require a QR code under Track 2 of Resolution 737 since February 2026. This includes hubs, locks, sensors, switches, dimmers, and any device transmitting on 908.42 or 916 MHz. The compliance page must declare frequency, EIRP power, modulation (FSK/GFSK), and all RF modules.
Is Z-Wave compatible with Matter?: The Z-Wave Alliance has announced Matter-over-Z-Wave support, but practical implementation remains limited as of 2026. In practice, hubs like SmartThings and Hubitat expose Z-Wave devices to Matter controllers via a software bridge. The Z-Wave radio does not natively carry Matter like Thread does.
What is the difference between Z-Wave and Zigbee?: The fundamental difference is frequency: Z-Wave operates at 908 MHz (sub-GHz) and Zigbee at 2.4 GHz. Z-Wave has better wall penetration and zero WiFi interference, but depends on a single chip manufacturer (Silicon Labs). Zigbee has multiple vendors, a larger installed base, and is the foundation of Thread/Matter. Regulatorily, both require SUBTEL QR under Track 2 but under different Resolution 1985 literals.
Does Z-Wave work without internet?: Yes. Z-Wave is a local mesh protocol that works without internet. The hub controls all devices directly via radio. You lose remote app control, but local automation and physical switch control continue working.
What is Z-Wave Long Range?

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