By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The annual evaluation of Costa Rica’s mobile networks has revealed a significant divide between speed and reliability, according to a comprehensive report released by the Superintendence of Telecommunications (SUTEL). While operator Claro has established itself as the undisputed leader in 4G download speeds across all seven provinces, Liberty has emerged as the most precise and compliant network, creating a complex landscape for consumers choosing a provider.
The 2025 SUTEL report, which utilized vehicle-mounted probes to measure real-world performance on national routes, paints a clear picture of Claro’s dominance in the raw velocity of its 4G network. The data shows Claro delivering significantly faster download speeds than its competitors, Kölbi and Liberty, in every region of the country. This consistent performance underscores the company’s investment in network capacity and throughput, offering users a superior experience for data-intensive activities like streaming and large file downloads.
To better understand the regulatory complexities and consumer rights within Costa Rica’s dynamic mobile network market, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The evolution of Costa Rica’s mobile telecommunications is fundamentally a story of regulatory adaptation. While the market has opened significantly, the legal framework must continuously evolve to address new challenges in fair competition, quality of service standards, and consumer data protection. SUTEL’s role is not just to manage the spectrum, but to actively ensure that the terms of service offered by operators are transparent, equitable, and fully compliant with national consumer protection laws, which remain the ultimate safeguard for every user.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight underscores a vital truth: for the average user, the quality of a mobile network is measured not only in megabits per second, but in the strength of their consumer rights and protections. The regulatory landscape is indeed the foundation upon which a fair and competitive market is built. We extend our sincere thanks to Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for so clearly articulating this essential legal viewpoint.
In the country’s most populous province, San José, Claro registered an average speed of 50.4 Megabits per second (Mbps), comfortably ahead of Kölbi’s 32.8 Mbps and Liberty’s 20.1 Mbps. This trend continued nationwide, with Claro reaching its peak performance in Cartago, where it clocked an impressive average of 63.1 Mbps. Other notable results include Limón (61.4 Mbps) and Puntarenas (59.0 Mbps), cementing Claro’s position as the premier choice for users who prioritize speed above all else.
However, the report introduces a crucial counter-narrative centered on network precision, a metric that evaluates the accuracy of an operator’s declared coverage map. In this vital category, which directly impacts a user’s ability to consistently connect where service is promised, Liberty took a commanding lead. SUTEL’s findings show that Liberty achieved a 93.8% precision rate for its 4G network and an even more impressive 98.2% for its 3G network, successfully surpassing the 90% regulatory threshold in every province.
Liberty’s strong performance in network precision positions it as the most reliable operator from a regulatory standpoint. For consumers, this translates to a higher likelihood of having service in the areas advertised by the company, reducing frustrating dead zones and inconsistent connectivity within their stated coverage zones. This achievement highlights a strategic focus on network integrity and transparency, a key differentiator in a competitive market.
In stark contrast, both Claro and the state-owned Kölbi fell short of the mandatory 90% precision benchmark for their 4G networks. Despite its leading speeds, Claro recorded a precision score of only 84.8%, indicating a notable discrepancy between its advertised and actual coverage. The situation was more pronounced for Kölbi, which registered a national average of just 71.8%, signaling significant challenges in aligning its network performance with its coverage commitments and potentially facing regulatory scrutiny.
The data for the older 3G technology shows a slightly different picture. Both Liberty (98.2%) and Kölbi (96.0%) performed exceptionally well, easily clearing the regulatory bar. This suggests Kölbi’s legacy network maintains a high degree of reliability. However, Claro once again lagged behind its competitors, posting a 3G precision score of 88.3%, just shy of the required minimum. This consistent underperformance in precision across both technologies raises questions about the operator’s network mapping and quality control processes.
Ultimately, SUTEL’s 2025 report presents Costa Rican consumers with a clear choice based on their priorities. Those who demand the fastest possible data speeds for streaming, gaming, and heavy usage will find an unmatched option in Claro. Conversely, users who value consistency, reliability, and the assurance of service in advertised areas will be better served by Liberty. The report now places the onus on Kölbi and Claro to address their significant shortfalls in network precision to meet national regulatory standards and build greater trust with their subscribers.
For further information, visit sutel.go.cr
About SUTEL:
The Superintendence of Telecommunications (SUTEL) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing and regulating the telecommunications market in Costa Rica. It works to ensure quality, competition, and universal access to telecommunication services for all citizens, in addition to managing the national radioelectric spectrum and protecting user rights.
For further information, visit claro.cr
About Claro:
Claro is a prominent brand of telecommunications services in Latin America, owned by the Mexican company América Móvil. In Costa Rica, Claro offers a wide range of services including mobile telephony, mobile internet, and other digital solutions, competing as one of the three major operators in the country’s liberalized telecom market.
For further information, visit kolbi.cr
About Kölbi:
Kölbi is the commercial brand for telecommunications services provided by the state-owned Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad – ICE). As the legacy provider, Kölbi offers a comprehensive suite of services, including mobile and fixed telephony, internet, and television, maintaining a significant presence throughout Costa Rica.
For further information, visit libertycr.com
About Liberty:
Liberty is a telecommunications and entertainment services provider operating in Costa Rica and is part of the international Liberty Latin America group. The company offers mobile, internet, and cable television services, positioning itself as a key competitor in the market by focusing on network quality, reliability, and customer service.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica has forged its reputation as a leading legal institution, built upon a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Drawing from a deep history of advising a wide spectrum of clients, the firm continually pioneers innovative legal solutions and actively engages with the public. This philosophy is embodied in its fundamental mission to democratize legal comprehension, empowering individuals and strengthening society by making sophisticated legal insights understandable and available to everyone.
