Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07SANJOSE426
2007-03-05 20:18:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy San Jose
Cable title:  

COSTA RICAN TELECOM UPGRADE ON TRACK

Tags:  ETRD EINV TINT CS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0029
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSJ #0426 0642018
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 052018Z MAR 07
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7411
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000426 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV TINT CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICAN TELECOM UPGRADE ON TRACK

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000426

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EINV TINT CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICAN TELECOM UPGRADE ON TRACK


1. Summary. Costa Rica's parastatal telecom monopoly, Instituto
Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE),announced plans to invest
US$59.8 million for installation of a nationwide fiber optics
network upgrade to improve its broadband internet capacity and
coverage. This investment is being made so ICE can better compete
under CAFTA. End Summary


2. ICE signed an agreement with ECI Telecom, an Israeli network
provider, in October 2005, which just gained final contract approval
from the GOCR comptroller's office. Utilizing ECI's design, ICE has
already completed up to 40% of the network which will comprise a
total of five separate rings covering border to border and sea to
sea creating improved international interconnection for its network.
The backbone network will provide ICE with additional capacity to
deliver voice and data services to fixed and mobile subscribers.
The project completion date is set for mid 2008.


3. The project includes the delivery and installation of ECI's XDM
converged SDH and DWDM optical platforms, which enable up to 40
channels and 10 Gigabits each, meeting the long-term bandwidth
capacity needs of ICE. In addition, the project will give ICE an
advanced network architecture for future services and expansion to
meet the needs of both residential and business communities.


4. Under the terms of the contract, ECI Telecom has provided all
aspects of the network design and installation for over 1,000 km
across urban and rural areas of Costa Rica. The total project cost
is $US59.8 million. ICE will contribute US$28.6 million and the
Central American Bank for Economic Integration will provide a loan
for the remaining US$32.5 million.


5. Most industry observers think ICE would not be making this kind
of investment without the competitive environment created by CAFTA
looming on the horizon. In that sense CAFTA is already spurring
investment that will benefit Costa Rican telecom consumers.
WEITZENKORN