AmCham urges secure and accelerated deployment of 5G Technology in Costa Rica
- 5G Implementation is Key to Enhancing Competitiveness and Attracting Investment
San José, November 21, 2024. The American Chamber of Commerce in Costa Rica (AmCham) strongly urges authorities to accelerate the deployment of 5G technology in Costa Rica, emphasizing the importance of incorporating trusted providers to ensure a secure infrastructure. This advancement is critical to strengthening the national economy, boosting competitiveness, and attracting essential foreign investment.
Resolving the legal and administrative hurdles delaying 5G deployment is crucial to preventing significant investment losses, which, according to SUTEL estimates, exceed $1.134 billion.
“5G technology offers a unique opportunity to accelerate Costa Rica’s economic development. Any further delays not only jeopardize our competitiveness but also our ability to attract strategic investments that drive key sectors of our economy. We must move forward without hesitation to harness the full potential of this technology,” stated Juan Carlos Chavarría, President of AmCham.
Prioritizing a secure and reliable network
AmCham underscores the importance of selecting 5G technology providers from countries that are signatories of the Budapest Convention to ensure the highest standards of security and data protection. This approach is vital to maintaining investor confidence and safeguarding the integrity of communications infrastructure.
The Chamber recognizes the significance of U.S. investment in Costa Rica, accounting for approximately three-quarters of all foreign direct investment and generating over 150,000 Costa Rican jobs. Many of these specialized positions depend on secure telecommunications networks for operations, particularly those involving U.S. government services.
AmCham emphasizes that technological neutrality does not preclude rigorous analyses of the security and reliability of adopted technologies. Costa Rica cannot compromise national security or future investments—especially those from U.S.-based companies—by implementing technology without proper evaluation.
Adopting international best practices
Costa Rica is encouraged to follow the best practices established by the United States and Europe, where secure and reliable 5G networks are actively being developed. Adopting these standards will enable the country to strengthen economic ties with these regions and consolidate its position in high-tech supply chains, such as semiconductors, medical devices, and data processing services.
Furthermore, Costa Rica has the potential to not only adopt this technology but also develop local and international applications that leverage the capabilities of 5G networks, fostering innovation in various industries.
AmCham reaffirms its commitment to collaborating with MICITT and the Costa Rican government to ensure the country fully capitalizes on the opportunities provided by this technology, promoting sustainable and secure economic growth.
Progress to date
SUTEL has outlined the stages of the process, which include pre-selecting bidders, auctioning frequencies, and awarding contracts, with projections to complete the tender and begin deployment in 2025. In November, SUTEL received seven offers to develop 5G networks on a national and regional scale, with the spectrum auction scheduled for the third week of January 2025.
MICITT has worked to recover key frequencies and conducted public consultations to ensure that assigned frequencies meet international standards.
AmCham urges authorities to maintain momentum in their efforts and ensure that the deployment of 5G technology is conducted securely, efficiently, and aligned with international best practices for the benefit of users.
About AmCham
The Costa Rican-North American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) is the leading binational chamber in Costa Rica, with over 50 years of promoting bilateral trade, foreign direct investment, and sustainable economic development between the United States and Costa Rica.
AmCham represents a diverse network of multinational and Costa Rican companies, including exporters, importers, shared service centers, law and consulting firms, industrial companies, real estate businesses, educational institutions, wholesalers, retailers, and agricultural enterprises.
Our mission is to create opportunities, strengthen commercial relationships, and contribute to the country’s economic and social progress. For more information, visit www.amcham.cr
