The Superintendency of Telecommunications in Costa Rica is inviting bids for 7 projects to provide telephony and internet services to 52 districts in the Central Pacific and Chorotega Region.
From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Telecommunications in Costa Rica:
SUTEL opens competition to bring telephony and internet services to the Central Pacific and Guanacaste.
A tender has been launched in Costa Rica of the use and operation of 70 MHz of radio spectrum to be used to deploy international mobile technology.
Costa RicaGovernment Purchase 2016LI-000002-SUTEL:
"Through means of this public tender, concessionswill be granted, through an auction process, for up to seven (7) blocks of 5 MHz (2x5 MHz) with coverage throughout the territory of the Republic of Costa Rica, as described:
The Superintendency of Telecommunications has announced a competition to provide voice and fixed internet services in 6 areas in the Huetar Atlantic Region, for a projected amount of $20 million.
From a statement issued by the Superintendency of Telecommunications:
A tender is being launched for projects to bring internet and fixed phone services to 18 vulnerable districts in the Atlantic Region.
Claro, Movistar and the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad are competing for a contract for telecommunications services in isolated communities.
These three operators submitted bids in a contest sponsored by the Superintendency of Telecommunications (Sutel) to provide telecommunications services to residents of the communities of La Lidia, La Curia and Aguas Fría in the district of Roxana de Pococí in Limon.
The National Telecommunications Fund plans to develop seven projects in the areas of education, social welfare, health and homes, which will feature, for the first time, internet and telephone services.
According to the Telecommunications Superintendency (Sutel), there are a total of 477 schools, 78 colleges, 155 Ebais (health centres), 25 Cecis and 70 CEN- CINAI which will be connected with a speed of 4 megabytes.
The Government is considering a possible tender for a new radio frequency block that would provide fourth-generation mobile services.
Alejandro Cruz, Minister of Science, Technology and Telecommunications (Micitt), asked the Sutel to define the future of the 70 MHz block not auctioned in 2011, when Telefonica and Claro were awarded frequencies. These companies have shown interest in having more spectrum to expand the supply of fast mobile Internet services.
An announcement has been made in Costa Rica for a tender for a project to give rural communities mobile and fixed telephone coverage, with funding from the National Telecommunications Fund.
The National Telecommunications Fund (Fonatel) is endowed with payments for operating licenses awarded to telecom operators such as Claro and Movistar, and currently has $190 million to be used to promote access to quality, timely, efficient, affordable and competitive telecommunications services, for the inhabitants of areas of the country where the cost of investment for the installation and maintenance of infrastructure for the provision of these services is not financially profitable.
After the regulator SUTEL’s rejection of a petition by the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad to delay the implementation of number portability, the original date of February 2013 has been maintained.
The Superintendency of Telecommunications (Sutel) will launch on September 17th a competition for the selection of a company to provide complete management services for the implementation, operation and management of the Integrated Number Portability system for Costa Rica.
Institutions and leading companies in Costa Rica are planning to run for the position of administrator of the National Telecommunications Fund.
Some 25 entities or organizations have shown interest in the project to implement the National Telecommunications Fund (Fonatel) which has funds of $180 million.
Some of the stakeholders are: Deloitte & Touche, Ernst &Young, Fundación Comisión Asesora en Alta Tecnología (Caatec), Fundación Costa Rica-Estados Unidos (Crusa), Fundación para la Investigación de la Universidad de Costa Rica (Fundevi) and Microsoft. The complete list can be found on the website of the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel) at www.sutel.go.cr, reports Nacion.com.
The Spanish company, with a $ 95 million offer, was the highest bidder entering the Costa Rican market.
With a $ 70 million minimum base for each band, Telefónica took the rights to the third block of frequencies, which are more attractive because they require less infrastructure investment.
Mexican company, América Móvil (Claro), was awarded concession number two.
Starting at 6:30 pm the financial bids submitted by Claro and Telefonica will be known.
In the presence of representatives from both companies, the Telecommunications Superintendence (Sutel) will uncover the proposals.
La Prensa Libre published on its website: "representatives of the two mobile carriers must be present in case of a possible tie in order to immediately make a counteroffer, so the frequencies can be awarded."
Finally just two major telecoms were interested in competing in Costa Rica with the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad.
An editorial in Nacion.com analyzes Costa Rica´s cellular market opening.
"Now that the bidding process is complete, it is clear that the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) is among the big winners. Unable to keep its monopoly, the institution started delaying the process and messing things up.
America Movil (Claro) and Telefonica (Movistar) were the only ones to submit their cell phone service offerings.
By January 19th, 2011, the Evaluating Commission will open the bids and report to the Superintendence of Telecommunications (Sutel), after analyzing technical issues.
Through a spokesman, Cable & Wireless reported it will not participate.
On Tuesday, December 14th, the initial bidding for the frequency spectrum will take place.
The bidding process will begin with a public event to be held at the Hotel Real Intercontinental.
"Daniele Tricarico, analyst for British firm Informa Telecoms & Media, states that the growth potential for Costa Rica's cellular market makes it an attractive investment.
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad said it withdrew the lawsuit in a conflict it has with Sutel.
The Financierocr.com refers to an ICE press release, which states that "the change in strategy responds to two documents issued by Sutel which changes the dynamics of action and resolutions."
ICE's decision to go to court had received harsh criticism from the business sector because it had created another roadblock in the process of opening the telecommunications market.