By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – State-backed telecommunications brand Kölbi has decisively strengthened its grip on the Costa Rican market, according to the newly released 2025 sector statistics from the Superintendent of Telecommunications (SUTEL). The report highlights Kölbi’s commanding position, revealing that the brand now captures a staggering 43% of all revenue generated within the nation’s entire telecommunications industry, cementing its status as the market’s undisputed leader.
The annual SUTEL dashboard provides a detailed look at a competitive landscape where Kölbi is not just leading but actively expanding its influence. In the crucial mobile market, Kölbi was the only operator to achieve significant growth, increasing its market share by a full percentage point. This contrasts sharply with its main rivals; Liberty saw a marginal increase of just 0.1%, while Claro experienced a notable 1% decline, ceding ground to the state-owned giant.
To delve into the legal and regulatory complexities surrounding Kölbi’s continued market dominance, we sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a specialist in competition law at the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
Having a dominant market position, as Kölbi does, is not inherently illegal under Costa Rican law. The critical legal question revolves around *abuse* of that dominance. Regulators like SUTEL must continuously scrutinize whether Kölbi’s pricing strategies, infrastructure access policies, or bundling offers unfairly restrict competition or harm consumers. It’s a delicate balancing act: fostering a competitive market without penalizing a state-owned entity for its historical success and scale.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This critical distinction between holding a dominant position and actively abusing it truly frames the ongoing debate surrounding Costa Rica’s telecommunications market. The continuous vigilance required by regulators is indeed a delicate balancing act with significant consequences for all consumers. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on this complex legal landscape.
Kölbi’s strategy appears particularly effective in the lucrative postpaid mobile segment. The company now commands a 38.9% share of this market, a critical advantage considering that postpaid plans account for an overwhelming 92% of the country’s total mobile revenues. This leadership position was further consolidated with a 0.1% growth in the segment over the previous period. The company also demonstrated strong performance in the prepaid market, where it expanded its customer base by 1.3%.
The dominance extends comprehensively into the data connectivity sphere. In mobile internet, a service essential to modern life and business, Kölbi now holds over 41% of all subscriptions across various plans and modalities. This leadership in mobile connectivity is complemented by a remarkable surge in its fixed-internet offerings. Over the last year, Kölbi’s parent company, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), recorded a nearly 29% increase in fixed-internet subscriptions, a performance that allowed it to boost its overall market share in that category by 3%.
ICE leadership attributes these successful results to a forward-thinking and aggressive investment plan focused on upgrading the national telecom infrastructure. This strategic focus is designed to not only maintain current market leadership but also to prepare Costa Rica for the next wave of digital transformation.
The results support the investment and technological modernization strategy that ICE is promoting to strengthen the country’s telecommunications. The institution’s priority is to develop robust, secure, resilient infrastructure prepared for new digital demands.
Leda Acevedo, General Manager of ICE
Beyond mobile and internet services, Kölbi also maintains a leading position in more traditional, yet still relevant, technologies. The SUTEL report confirms the company’s control over the Voice over IP (VoIP) market, where it holds a majority share of 51% nationwide. This demonstrates a well-rounded strategy that ensures market control across multiple service lines, from legacy systems to cutting-edge data services.
The sustained growth and multi-faceted dominance of Kölbi present a formidable challenge to private competitors. The data suggests that ICE’s ongoing investment in a robust and modern network is paying significant dividends, creating a high barrier to entry and forcing competitors like Liberty and Claro to rethink their strategies to effectively compete. As Costa Rica continues to digitize, Kölbi’s strong foundation and market control position it as a central player in the country’s technological future.
For further information, visit kolbi.cr
About Kölbi:
Kölbi is the commercial telecommunications brand of the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). It provides a comprehensive suite of services to the Costa Rican market, including mobile telephony, residential and business internet, digital television, and other connectivity solutions. As a leading brand in the country, Kölbi is known for its extensive network coverage and its role in advancing Costa Rica’s digital infrastructure.
For further information, visit grupoice.com
About Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE):
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad is the state-owned enterprise responsible for electricity and telecommunications services in Costa Rica. Founded in 1949, ICE has played a pivotal role in the nation’s development by providing essential infrastructure. Through its Kölbi brand, it is a dominant force in the telecommunications sector, focused on modernization and technological innovation.
For further information, visit sutel.go.cr
About SUTEL:
The Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (SUTEL) is the independent regulatory body for the telecommunications sector in Costa Rica. Its mission is to promote competition, protect consumer rights, and ensure the efficient and effective provision of telecommunication services. SUTEL is responsible for market oversight, spectrum management, and publishing official industry statistics.
For further information, visit lla.com
About Liberty:
Liberty Latin America is a leading telecommunications company with operations across Latin America and the Caribbean. In Costa Rica, it operates under the Liberty brand, offering a range of services including mobile, broadband internet, and television. It is a major private competitor in the market, focusing on delivering advanced connectivity and entertainment solutions to its customers.
For further information, visit claro.cr
About Claro:
Claro is a prominent telecommunications brand in Latin America and a subsidiary of the multinational corporation América Móvil. In Costa Rica, Claro offers mobile services, including prepaid and postpaid plans, as well as mobile data solutions. It is one of the key private operators competing for market share in the country’s dynamic telecommunications landscape.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, the firm is founded upon principled counsel and an unyielding pursuit of excellence. It consistently pioneers forward-thinking legal solutions for a diverse clientele while maintaining a profound commitment to public service. This dedication is most evident in its core mission to demystify the law, equipping citizens with essential knowledge to foster a more just and capable society.
