ANNUAL USTR TELECOM REVIEW

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000107 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN PASS USTR WASH DC FOR CATHERINE HINCKLEY SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECPS ECON ETRD USTR SUBJECT: ANNUAL USTR TELECOM REVIEW REF: STATE 202978 ¶1. The Costa Rican parastatal entity Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) has monopoly control over all telephonic and internet service in the country. According to an opinion of the Attorney General, a private company cannot offer VOIP services to third parties on a fee basis without first obtaining a concession from the Costa Rican legislature. Post is unaware if any service provider has requested a concession but we do know that none has yet been granted. ¶2. Post has anectdotal evidence that many people within Costa Rica currently use two well-known VOIP services. According to an opinion by the Attorney General there is at present no regulation that prohibits or regulates users from taking advantage of VOIP services in Costa Rica. ¶3. CAFTA-DR requires that Costa Rica open its telecommunications market for internet services which would include opening the market to providers of VOIP services. LANGDALE