Since rules came into effect on number portability, Costa Rica's state telephone company has lost 559 thousand lines, which have swelled the client lists of the two foreign competitors that operate in the mobile telephony market.
The possibility of keeping the same cell phone number and changing operator has existed since November 2013, and since then, Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) has lost almost 560 thousand lines, which passed into the hands of Telefónica, which operates the brand Movistar, and Claro, a brand of the Mexican company América Móvil.
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad is inviting bids for the implementation of a communications system for agencies and customer service centers nationwide.
Government Purchase 2015LA-000071-0000400001 Costa Rica:
"The goal is to implement an IP Communications System at approximately 140 sites and buildings, including agencies of the Integral Support Centers (CAICS) across the country."
The arbitrariness with which municipalities are issuing permits to build cell towers is preventing controls and the ability to demand better coverage.
The obstacles imposed by the different municipalities have forced the suspension of the timeframe which telephone companies were given to meet the required demand for coverage in order to operate in the market.