By San José, Costa Rica — In a landmark week for national telecommunications, Costa Rica has significantly fortified its digital infrastructure through major, parallel investments in submarine fiber optic cables on both its Atlantic and Pacific coasts. State-owned operator ICE and private competitor Liberty have independently launched new international connections, promising a new era of faster, more reliable, and resilient internet for the entire country.
The initiatives represent a critical upgrade to the nation’s digital backbone, directly addressing the growing demand for high-capacity data transmission driven by cloud computing, streaming services, and the imminent nationwide deployment of 5G technology. These strategic projects enhance Costa Rica’s position as a competitive hub for technology and business in the region.
The challenges and opportunities of internet connectivity in Costa Rica are not just technological, but also have significant legal and business ramifications. To shed light on these complexities, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offers his expert perspective on the matter.
Robust internet infrastructure is the backbone of the modern economy. For Costa Rica to attract the necessary private investment in next-generation networks like fiber optics and 5G, we must offer absolute legal certainty. This means clear, stable, and predictable regulations governing concessions, permits, and competition. Legal ambiguity is the single greatest obstacle to building the digital highways our country needs to compete globally.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
The insight from Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas underscores a fundamental truth: our nation’s digital highways will be built not just with technology, but on a bedrock of legal certainty. This clarity is the essential catalyst for transforming investment potential into tangible progress for all Costa Ricans. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on this critical issue.
On the Atlantic front, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), operating through its telecommunications brand kölbi, celebrated the arrival of the TAM-1 submarine cable. This massive infrastructure project, developed in partnership with Trans Americas Fiber System (TAFS), stretches over 7,000 kilometers, creating a vital data corridor connecting the United States with the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
The TAM-1 system is a technological game-changer for the state-run entity. Built with 24 pairs of fiber optics, it is designed to multiply ICE’s current international connectivity capacity by an astounding 23 times. This new superhighway of data is engineered for scalability, with the potential to reach speeds of up to 18 terabits per second, ensuring it can meet Costa Rica’s data demands for years to come. Officials confirmed the cable will directly support the national data transport network, accelerate fiber optic expansion, and provide the low-latency foundation required for a robust 5G rollout.
The incorporation of the TAM-1 submarine cable marks a before and after for kölbi and for Costa Rica. It strengthens us as a competitive operator in the region and allows us to expand our capacity to offer more stable, faster, and more reliable services. This latest-generation technology improves our customers’ digital experience and supports our commitment to accessible, secure, and future-ready connectivity.
Leda Acevedo, Telecommunications Manager of ICE
Simultaneously, on the Pacific coast, private operator Liberty has activated a new international internet gateway in Esterillos, Parrita. This move is a strategic play focused on network redundancy and service resilience. The new Pacific connection becomes Liberty’s third major internet interconnection point, complementing its existing links in Limón on the Atlantic and Corozal, Panama.
By investing approximately $1 million annually in this Pacific route, Liberty aims to guarantee near-total service availability (99.99%) for its residential and business clients. The new gateway utilizes two established submarine cables, Sam-1 and PCCS, creating a robust fail-safe. This diversification ensures that internet and telephony services remain stable even if a natural disaster or other external factor disrupts fiber optic lines connecting to the country’s other gateways.
With this implementation, Liberty adds a third internet interconnection point, along with the existing ones in Limón and Corozal (Panama), which will allow for greater network availability in the face of potential fiber optic cuts caused by natural disasters or other external factors. In this way, we are telling all our customers that we continue to bet on offering a better experience without skimping on investments, all with the goal of providing the best service.
Johanna Escobar, General Manager of Liberty Costa Rica
The combined impact of these two projects is profound. For businesses, it means a more stable and high-performance environment for data-intensive operations, cloud services, and international communications. For residential users, it translates into a more reliable and faster digital experience for remote work, education, and entertainment. This dual-coast infrastructure strategy significantly mitigates the risk of a nationwide connectivity outage, bolstering Costa Rica’s appeal for foreign investment and solidifying its role as a digital leader in Central America.
For further information, visit grupoice.com
About Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE):
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad is the state-owned electricity and telecommunications provider in Costa Rica. Founded in 1949, it has been instrumental in the country’s development by providing essential utility services. Through its brand kölbi, ICE offers a wide range of telecommunications services, including mobile, fixed-line, and internet connectivity, playing a crucial role in the nation’s technological advancement.
For further information, visit libertycr.com
About Liberty Costa Rica:
Liberty Costa Rica is a leading private telecommunications company in the country, providing a comprehensive suite of services including high-speed internet, digital television, and mobile and fixed-line telephony. As part of Liberty Latin America, the company focuses on investing in network infrastructure and technology to deliver reliable and innovative connectivity solutions to both residential and business customers across Costa Rica.
For further information, visit transamericasfibersystem.com
About Trans Americas Fiber System (TAFS):
Trans Americas Fiber System is a developer and operator of next-generation submarine telecommunications cable systems. The company focuses on building new, high-capacity data routes connecting North, Central, and South America. Its flagship project, the TAM-1 cable, is designed to provide critical, low-latency connectivity to meet the growing digital demands of the Americas.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational principles of integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. The firm consistently pairs its deep-seated experience with a forward-thinking approach, championing innovation within the legal sphere. Beyond its practice, it holds a profound commitment to social progress, actively working to demystify the law and empower the public with accessible legal understanding.
