Costa Rica to create 5G labs as part of telecoms plan

Costa Rica’s telecoms development plan will include the creation of 5G laboratories, deputy telecoms minister Orlando Vega Quesada confirmed to BNamericas.

“As part of the public policy that is going to come out in the coming weeks, there is a goal linked to the 5G experimental laboratories,” he said. 

A second public consultation on the telecoms plan recently wrapped up. The plan emphasizes a 5G test bed for 2023. It also foresees "having multiple service offers available to the public on 5G ecosystem networks no later than 2024."

Vega said, “We are generating the enabling conditions to develop [5G laboratories]. I would love to tell you that we have the resources, but the fiscal situation prevents us from assuming the total cost, hence the importance of the union with private actors.”

Universities, operators and other private companies signaled interest. Operators are especially keen to gain access to frequencies and experiment with the technology.

Mario Montero, the president of sector chamber Infocom, told BNamericas previously that experiments could be carried out as long as the 5G auction is still being planned.

Telecoms ministry Micitt has recovered 3.5GHz bands, planned to be auctioned to the private sector to deploy 5G networks. Micitt will instruct regulator Sutel to advance the tender process once the bands are cleared.

In parallel, Micitt is also recovering new portions of spectrum for 5G services.

The 5G frequency auction should take place in about a year and a half.