"They told us that the third generation of cellular telephones could be ready for 2008 and we're still waiting for it. The internet conection using 2-G cell phones is inadequate."
This was the complaint of Jui Yang Wong, one of the executives who urgently wants the high-level telecommunication service, and who had faith that the quality of service would improve with the arrival of the third generation (3-G).
Wong's skepticism could grow following the latest reversal suffered by the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) on Monday. The General Control for the Republic refused the contract with the Central American Bank for Economic Integration to rent the high-technology telephone network for 225 million dollars.
"We can't deny that there has been a delay but it appears that the ICE is doing its best to put it in place quickly," said Alexander Mora, president of the Chamber of Information Technology and Communication (Camtic).
"The wireless internet project using Wi-Max is just as basic as bringing in the third generation, because both will establish the necessary platform for allowing mass access to the network, which will be sold to complement the pre-paid feature," he said.

Source: La República

More on this topic

ICE reopens tender for new 3G cellular network

October 2008

The second tender process for the 3G network will be launched this week after the failure of the first process.

If there are no more setbacks, the Costa Rica Institute of Electricity (ICE) will make changes to the tender in order to encourage more companies to participate.

Sole offer for 3G network rejected in Costa Rica

September 2008

The Costa Rica Institute of Electricity (ICE) confirmed yesterday that it has rejected Huawei Technologies' offer for 1.5 million 3G cellular lines.

The offer was too expensive and did not meet coverage requirements, declared Pedro Pablo Quirós, president of ICE.

Only Huawei participated in the bidding for this contract. Another four telephone companies refrained from participating alleging that the process lacked clarity.

Costa Rica: ICE insists on analyzing Chinese 3G offer

August 2008

ICE (Costa Rican Institute of Electricity) will continue to study the sole offer, by Huawei, to install 1.5 million third generation (3G) cellular lines in the country.

The Institute rejected a letter from President Oscar Arias, who requested that they hold a new tender process so that more companies can take part.

President of Costa Rica ask that 3G contract not be granted to Huawei

August 2008

Oscar Arias recommended to officials of the Costa Rica Institute of Electricity (ICE) that they not grant the contract for the project to the only company that participated in the bidding process.

The President said in a letter sent yesterday to Pedro Pablo Quiros, head of ICE, that the best option is to redo the process and try to get more telecommunications companies to participate.