Inside Costa Rica | January 17, 2011
Before the end of this year Costa Ricans will have an opportunity, for the first time ever, to choose who their cellular carrier will be. So, what is in store for them?
All indications point to new and more dymanic services and lower prices, as competition for clients heat up.
As early as September, Costa Ricans may choose from Movistar, Claro or the state telecom and former monopoly, the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).
The question by many, looking outside of Costa Rica post monopoly, is how long will the honeymoon last before prices go up?
For now that is not important.
What is important is that for the first time in Costa Rica’s history the ICE will face competition and customers voice their opinion by choice of carrier.
ICE currently has some 2.5 million customers, both of the postpaid (subscription) and prepaid services.
Stalling for almost two years, by legal means and otherwise, ICE has been positioning itself to maintain the market share. And now, according to Elbert Duran, communications director for the state telecom, the focus will be on promoting “quality” or service to maintain its customer base.
Although Duran and ICE president, Eduardo Doryan, were short on details, they both say “we are ready”.
At the beginning it will be a tough sell for both Movistar and Claro, who promise to overtake ICE in little time, with attractive products, prices and services.
For one, the band purchased by Telefonica (Movistar) will allow it offer the fourth generation of cellular services or 4G, which is just now taking force in other countries. This newer technology allows better transmission of voice and data and interactivity between users.
America Movil (Claro) on the other hand is expected to continue its promotional plans of allowing friends connected to its network to enjoy lower rates, similar to its promotions in other countries.
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