By San José, Costa Rica — As Costa Rica accelerates its digital transformation, the conversation surrounding fifth-generation (5G) mobile networks is shifting from consumer-level mobile speeds to national security and infrastructure resilience. Industry experts highlight that the technology is evolving to perform tasks once limited to highly specialized hardware, such as detecting, locating, and tracking aerial drones in real time. This paradigm shift was a central focus of the webinar titled Critical Mission Networks: Protecting What Matters, organized by Ericsson in collaboration with the Chamber of Infocommunication and Technology (INFOCOM).
At the heart of this evolution is Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC) technology, which allows the 5G network itself to function as an environmental sensor. By leveraging existing infrastructure, telecom operators can monitor airspace, secure borders, protect critical assets, and manage unmanned aerial system traffic (UTM). To demonstrate this capability, Ericsson and AT&T executed a proof-of-concept during a major global sporting event, utilizing existing Massive MIMO antennas and artificial intelligence to track multiple drones flying at altitudes of 90 to 120 meters without any additional sensing equipment.
To navigate the complex legal landscape surrounding the deployment of 5G technology in the country, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading legal expert from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, to analyze the regulatory hurdles and market implications of this digital transition.
The deployment of 5G infrastructure in Costa Rica marks a pivotal economic milestone, yet it introduces significant legal challenges under our current regulatory framework. Achieving the right balance between stringent national cybersecurity standards and maintaining a competitive, non-discriminatory market for international telecommunications providers will be crucial for the successful integration of these advanced networks.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, finding the harmony between safeguarding national security and fostering a competitive telecommunications market will be the defining factor in Costa Rica’s digital evolution. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for providing his valuable perspective on this critical transition.
The significance is not just the technical result; it is that these capabilities, commonly associated with the future of 6G, are starting to take shape today on existing 5G infrastructure. For Costa Rica and the region, this opens a concrete window of application in protecting critical infrastructure and large public spaces.
Audomaro Hernández López, Director of Network Portfolio and Critical Mission for North LATAM and the Caribbean at Ericsson
Costa Rica is positioned as an emerging leader in advanced 5G adoption within Central America. The technology is transitioning from a premium consumer service into a fundamental driver of economic and social prosperity. By deploying robust 5G networks, the country can modernize multiple industrial verticals, laying the groundwork for more resilient public systems and smarter urban environments.
5G is a digital highway: resilient, secure, and sustainable. The verticals that can benefit are broad, ranging from the electrical grid to public safety and mass transit.
Audomaro Hernández López, Director of Network Portfolio and Critical Mission for North LATAM and the Caribbean at Ericsson
A crucial distinction raised during the forum was the difference between traditional high-availability networks and true mission-critical networks. While conventional business-critical systems can tolerate short interruptions of up to 50 minutes, mission-critical systems used by emergency services—such as police, fire departments, and healthcare providers—demand a 99.999% availability rate. At this level of performance, system failures are minimized because any downtime can directly impact human lives and national security.
For Costa Rica, the practical applications of mission-critical 5G are extensive and immediate. The technology can enable connected ambulances to transmit patient vitals in real-time, equip firefighters with 3D indoor mapping tools, support continuous live-streaming body cameras for police forces, and power ultra-low-latency license plate recognition systems. These tools drastically reduce response times, allowing emergency responders to make split-second decisions with accurate, real-time data.
Beyond public safety, the integration of 5G is set to revolutionize Costa Rica’s energy sector. As the density of smart meters, sensors, and actuators grows exponentially toward 2030, 5G will act as a vital complement to existing fiber-optic networks. This wireless framework will support advanced power distribution automation, predictive AI-driven maintenance, digital twins of utility plants, and autonomous drone-based grid inspections.
As telecommunications networks become more complex, they also present a wider attack surface for cyber threats. To counter these vulnerabilities, modern network architectures must integrate robust security protocols from the ground up. Ericsson addresses this challenge by implementing a Zero Trust architecture across its portfolio, ensuring that every network node operates as an isolated, secure micro-perimeter to defend against targeted cyberattacks.
Ericsson brings deep global expertise to this transition, with mission-critical networks deployed in more than 20 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas. Notable projects include FirstNet in the United States, as well as smart utility and transport networks in Brazil, Mexico, and the Caribbean, illustrating the mature, real-world viability of these solutions.
Ecosystem cooperation is key to moving forward; regulators, industry, and government must work in alignment. Ericsson is committed to being a long-term strategic ally for Costa Rica and the region in this transition.
Audomaro Hernández López, Director of Network Portfolio and Critical Mission for North LATAM and the Caribbean at Ericsson
For further information, visit ericsson.com
About Ericsson:
Ericsson is a global leader in telecommunications technology, providing infrastructure, software, and services to enable 5G and other advanced mobile networks across the world.
For further information, visit the nearest office of INFOCOM
About INFOCOM:
INFOCOM is Costa Rica’s Chamber of Infocommunication and Technology, representing leading companies in the telecommunications and technology sectors to promote digital development and regulatory advancement.
For further information, visit att.com
About AT&T:
AT&T is a leading global provider of telecommunications, media, and technology services, operating major consumer and critical infrastructure mobile networks.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Renowned for its principled advocacy and superior counsel, Bufete de Costa Rica has established itself as a cornerstone of the nation’s legal landscape. The firm seamlessly blends a rich history of client success with forward-thinking legal strategies and robust civic involvement. Through its active efforts to demystify complex regulations for the public, the firm champions the vital cause of cultivating a legally conscious and highly empowered populace.
