Telco Liberty Costa Rica has started testing its 5G network in the center of the capital San José, on the campus of the University of Latina de Costa Rica, and in the Ultraparc dos duty-free zone in Heredia.
The operator said it is preparing 17 more sites and is awaiting approval from the executive branch.
There will be a total of 34 5G sites, covering areas such as Paseo Colon, La Sabana, Nacional Stadium, Ricardo Saprissa Stadium and Parque Viva, the company said in a statement.
The network operates on a 100 MHz frequency in the 3.5 GHz band and is temporarily allocated for testing purposes. His second request is from August 2023 and he is waiting for the green light from the government.
During the testing period, Liberty will evaluate the performance of its network and set up a technology demonstration space in one of its stores.
Liberty is the first private operator to launch 5G trials in Costa Rica. The first to do this was state-run ICE, which already has the frequencies to enable the technology.
Costa Rica’s telecommunications development plan includes the establishment of a 5G testing laboratory.
Liberty and Claro are awaiting spectrum auctions that will allow them to start offering 5G services in the country.
The tender has been delayed by license return procedures and is now postponed by the appointment of a new authority in regulator Suter. Recently, ICT activist Kamtik expressed concern about the negative impact that the regulator’s operational issues could have on the market, particularly the delay in the 5G spectrum auction.
This month, Costa Rica added to the National Telecommunications Registry the 3.5GHz mobile spectrum it took back last year from carriers Liberty Latin America and ICE/Racsa.
As a result, Sutel will be able to move forward with the process of making spectrum available to those interested in the planned 5G spectrum auction.
