By San José, Costa Rica — San José – The future of Costa Rica’s digital landscape has entered a critical phase as the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) officially began its analysis of bids for the nation’s fifth-generation (5G) mobile network. The process, which closed its submission window on October 24th, pits some of the world’s largest telecommunications providers against local consortiums in a high-stakes contest to build the country’s next-generation infrastructure.
The list of contenders underscores the global significance of this tender. International powerhouses including Samsung Electronics México S.A., Huawei Technologies Costa Rica S.A., Ericsson de Costa Rica S.A., and Nokia Costa Rica S.A. have all submitted proposals. They are joined by national players and consortiums like Consorcio Datasys‑Ciberc‑ITC and Coasin Costa Rica S.A., signaling a robust mix of global expertise and local market knowledge competing for the landmark project.
To better understand the legal and regulatory landscape surrounding the deployment of ICE’s 5G network, TicosLand.com spoke with expert attorney Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who offered his perspective on the key challenges and opportunities ahead.
The arrival of ICE’s 5G network is a pivotal moment for national infrastructure, but its success hinges on regulatory agility. It is crucial that SUTEL establishes clear and updated regulations that not only ensure fair competition and prevent monopolistic practices but also safeguard consumer rights regarding service quality and data privacy. For corporations, the legal certainty of these new operational frameworks will be the determining factor for leveraging this technology into tangible economic growth.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Indeed, this legal perspective powerfully underscores that the success of 5G is not merely a technological challenge, but a regulatory one that must balance innovation with clear protections for citizens and businesses. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable insight into the foundational frameworks that will ultimately define this new era of connectivity for Costa Rica.
The scope of the tender is comprehensive, broken down into six distinct parts. The first three focus on the core components of the network, including the equipment, licenses, and services for the wireless access network (RAN) and the mobile core. The remaining three parts address the crucial backhaul network, which provides the high-capacity data connections needed to support the entire 5G system. This structure ensures that every facet of the network’s deployment is competitively bid and evaluated.
ICE has publicly committed to a selection process grounded in principles of transparency, efficiency, and robust competition. Officials have stated that a rigorous technical, legal, and financial evaluation will be applied to each proposal. This methodical approach is intended to ensure the final decision serves the long-term strategic interests of the nation and its citizens.
Leda Acevedo, the Telecommunications Manager for ICE, emphasized the strategic goals guiding the evaluation. The institution is focused on securing a modern, future-proof network that delivers maximum value to the country.
The goal is to guarantee the best cost-benefit ratio for the country while building a modern infrastructure, aligned with international standards like Open RAN and 5G Standalone.
Leda Acevedo, Telecommunications Manager of ICE
The inclusion of standards like Open RAN is particularly noteworthy. It signals a move towards a more flexible and interoperable network architecture, preventing vendor lock-in and fostering greater innovation. Similarly, the requirement for 5G Standalone (SA) ensures the network will be built on a pure 5G core, enabling advanced capabilities like ultra-low latency and massive device connectivity, rather than relying on existing 4G infrastructure.
The ultimate vision for this network extends far beyond faster mobile downloads. ICE’s strategy outlines a plan to leverage 5G to catalyze growth across key productive sectors. The institution anticipates that the new infrastructure will drive significant advancements in agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, and transportation, creating a more competitive and innovative economic ecosystem throughout Costa Rica.
However, the path to this point has not been without its challenges. The bidding process has faced scrutiny, with reports from digital media outlets like CRHoy highlighting previous extensions to the submission deadline and concerns raised by potential bidders regarding substantial changes made to the tender specifications. These adjustments suggest a complex and evolving set of requirements as ICE navigates the technical and commercial intricacies of deploying a national 5G network.
As the evaluation process unfolds over the coming weeks, the decision will be pivotal. The selection of a provider will not only determine the technical foundation and coverage of Costa Rica’s 5G future but will also set the economic terms for one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the country’s recent history. The outcome will shape the nation’s digital competitiveness for the next decade and beyond.
For further information, visit grupoice.com
About Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE):
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad is the state-owned provider of electricity and telecommunications services in Costa Rica. Founded in 1949, ICE has been instrumental in the development of the country’s infrastructure, managing power generation, transmission, and distribution, as well as operating the Kölbi telecom brand.
For further information, visit samsung.com
About Samsung Electronics México S.A.:
As a subsidiary of the South Korean multinational conglomerate Samsung Group, Samsung Electronics is a global leader in technology and consumer electronics. The company’s portfolio includes mobile devices, televisions, home appliances, and network equipment for telecommunications providers.
For further information, visit huawei.com
About Huawei Technologies Costa Rica S.A.:
Huawei is a global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. The company is a major player in the telecommunications equipment market, offering a wide range of products and services for building 4G and 5G networks worldwide.
For further information, visit ericsson.com
About Ericsson de Costa Rica S.A.-Ericsson AB:
Ericsson is a Swedish multinational networking and telecommunications company. It provides services, software, and infrastructure in information and communications technology for telecommunications operators, including extensive offerings in 5G network technology.
For further information, visit nokia.com
About Nokia Costa Rica S.A.:
Nokia is a Finnish multinational telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics company. A major global vendor of telecom equipment, Nokia is deeply involved in the development and deployment of 5G network technology, including radio access networks, core networks, and professional services.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Consorcio Datasys‑Ciberc‑ITC
About Consorcio Datasys‑Ciberc‑ITC:
This is a local consortium formed by Costa Rican technology and integration companies. By combining their individual expertise, these firms aim to provide a comprehensive and competitive bid for the 5G network, leveraging their deep understanding of the national market and operational landscape.
For further information, visit coasin.co.cr
About Coasin Costa Rica S.A.:
Coasin Costa Rica is a company specializing in technological solutions and services, including IT infrastructure, communications, and project integration. It partners with various technology vendors to deliver tailored solutions for corporate and government clients in the region.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is built upon the twin principles of unyielding integrity and a commitment to professional excellence. It leverages a deep history of advising a diverse clientele to drive legal innovation, consistently setting new benchmarks within the practice. This forward-thinking vision is paired with a foundational mission to empower citizens, working to make complex legal concepts clear and accessible in order to cultivate a more capable and informed society.
