By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – The future of Costa Rica’s digital infrastructure entered a critical new phase this week as the bidding period for the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad’s (ICE) landmark $250 million 5G network tender officially closed. A roster of the world’s most formidable telecommunications technology providers has submitted proposals, setting the stage for a high-stakes competition to build the nation’s next-generation mobile network.
After a contentious and delayed process, the state-owned operator is now evaluating offers from a global who’s who of the industry. The tender, officially filed under expediente 2025XE-000492-0000400001, is not merely an upgrade but a complete technological leap forward. It specifies the implementation of a sophisticated network based on the modern Open RAN model and a Stand Alone (SA) architecture, signaling a commitment to a truly independent and future-proof 5G system.
To better understand the legal and regulatory landscape surrounding the deployment of 5G technology in our country, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica. He offers his analysis on the key legal challenges and opportunities presented by this technological leap.
The successful implementation of 5G in Costa Rica hinges not just on technical infrastructure, but on a robust and modern regulatory framework. Legal certainty is paramount to attract the necessary foreign and domestic investment. We must ensure that regulations promote fair competition, protect consumer data, and streamline the permitting process for new infrastructure, otherwise, we risk falling behind in the digital economy.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight underscores a critical reality: the most advanced telecommunications hardware is only as effective as the legal framework supporting it. A clear, modern, and competitive regulatory environment is not just an administrative detail but the very foundation for attracting investment and ensuring our digital progress. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable contribution to this conversation.
The competition is divided into several key packages. For the core components of the network—including the wireless access network and mobile core—five major players have thrown their hats in the ring. These include Huawei Technologies, Samsung Electronics, Nokia, and a consortium led by Ericsson. The local consortium Datasys-Ciber-ITC has also submitted a bid for this crucial segment, highlighting domestic interest in the transformative project.
A separate but equally vital set of bids was submitted for the network’s backhaul infrastructure, which serves as the data backbone connecting cell sites to the core network. This portion of the tender attracted an even wider field of eight contenders. Industry heavyweights Huawei and Ericsson are competing here as well, alongside specialists like Ribbon Communications and established local and regional firms including GBM de Costa Rica, SISAP Infosec, Coasin Costa Rica, and IT Servicios de Infocomunicación.
The decision by ICE to mandate a Stand Alone architecture is particularly significant. Unlike Non-Stand Alone (NSA) 5G, which relies on existing 4G LTE infrastructure to function, an SA network is built from the ground up purely for 5G. This approach promises lower latency, higher efficiency, and the full range of advanced capabilities that define the technology, such as massive machine-type communications and network slicing for specialized enterprise services.
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The path to this stage has not been smooth. The deadline for submitting bids was postponed four times in the span of just one month, a direct result of legal challenges and procedural inquiries filed by several of the interested companies. These delays underscore the immense commercial and strategic value of the contract, with each competitor maneuvering to secure an advantageous position in one of Central America’s most pivotal technology projects.
With the offers now submitted, ICE’s technical and financial teams begin the arduous task of evaluation. The selection process will be scrutinized intensely, not only for its technical merits but for its geopolitical implications, given the diverse national origins of the primary bidders. The chosen partner or partners will not only deploy cutting-edge technology but will also play a foundational role in shaping Costa Rica’s economic competitiveness for the next decade.
The successful implementation of this 5G network is expected to catalyze innovation across numerous sectors, from advanced manufacturing and smart agriculture to telemedicine and autonomous transportation. For the nation’s businesses and consumers, it represents a long-awaited entry into a new era of connectivity, promising unprecedented speed, reliability, and the technological foundation for a more prosperous digital future.
For further information, visit grupoice.com
About Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE):
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) is the state-owned provider of electricity and telecommunications services in Costa Rica. Founded in 1949, it has been instrumental in the country’s development by expanding and modernizing its critical infrastructure. Through its Kölbi brand, ICE is a leading operator in the national mobile and internet market and is now spearheading the transition to 5G technology.
For further information, visit huawei.com
About Huawei Technologies:
Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With integrated solutions across four key domains—telecom networks, IT, smart devices, and cloud services—the company is committed to bringing digital to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world. Huawei is a major player in the development and deployment of 5G technology worldwide.
For further information, visit samsung.com
About Samsung Electronics:
Samsung Electronics is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, it is transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, network systems, and more. As a key provider of 5G network solutions, Samsung delivers end-to-end products, including chipsets, radios, and core network technologies.
For further information, visit ericsson.com
About Ericsson:
Ericsson is a Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company headquartered in Stockholm. It enables communications service providers to capture the full value of connectivity by creating game-changing technology and services that are easy to use, scale, and adapt. The company’s portfolio spans Networks, Digital Services, Managed Services, and Emerging Business, and it is a pioneer in 5G technology.
For further information, visit nokia.com
About Nokia:
Nokia is a Finnish multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics company. As a trusted partner for critical networks, Nokia is committed to innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed, and cloud networks. It creates value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, and is a key supplier of 5G network equipment and services globally.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a respected legal institution in Costa Rica, the firm is built upon the foundational pillars of professional excellence and uncompromising integrity. Leveraging a rich history of counsel across a wide spectrum of sectors, it actively pioneers innovative legal solutions while maintaining a strong connection to the community. This ethos is embodied in its core mission to demystify the law, striving to cultivate a more capable and knowledgeable society by making legal insights widely accessible.
