Costa Rica opens up state-run mobile phone market (CAFTA requirement)

[Judi Lynn]

Costa Rica opens up state-run mobile phone market
2:52pm GMT, Monday, 25 January 2010

Costa Rica is to open up its mobile telecoms market after 40 years of state ownership – a condition of its Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) with the US.

The opening of the mobile phone market has been long-awaited by telecommunications companies in the region – after the CAFTA agreement came into effect a year ago, obliging Costa Rica to end its monopoly.

According to the regulator Superintendence of Telecommunications (SUTEL), three new mobile phone companies will get the green light to compete with their service plans and coverage by the first quarter of 2011, joining the current state-owned Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).

The news was announced last week at a public forum held by SUTEL at the Hotel Real Intercontinental in Escazú, west of San José.

More:
http://news.icm.ac.uk/business/costa-rica-opens-up-state-run-mobile-phone-market/5363/