Since the late 1990’s Costa Rica has made significant investment and improvements to the Country’s network infrastructure.This includes a modern telecommunications network which allows direct dialing worldwide, with towers that support cellular telephone calling, data and fax transmission using both satellite and microwave links.International callers also have access to the Central American Microwave System and Satellite Earth Station.
Progress is being made on Internet access, including upgrades and expansions to cable systems.Broadband Internet service is available in many areas through cable modem, DSL and access to ISDN lines has become more common.
Internet cafes are springing up everywhere and some coffee shops and even restaurants are now providing wireless capability.
The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE), the country’s state-run telecommunications monopoly, acquired 1.3 million 3G cellular lines that were installed in 2008.
The new 3G Internet and cellular service from ICE is a big improvement because Internet service in some areas of the country can still be a problem.
Now, the 3G service works in some very remote locations all over the country. Users are able to successfully connect to the Internet in areas that have no cellular reception on the GSM network, and can not only use the phone and Internet in these areas, but the Internet speeds are fast enough to stream video from YouTube, Megavideo, and even use Skype video calls to the US. .
