The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) has awarded Swedish network vendor Ericsson a 5G contract worth $220 million.

As part of the contract, Ericsson will support ICE's 5G network deployment across Costa Rica.

ICE’s 5G network will be marketed through its retail brand Kölbi and involves a phased rollout across the country. The company expects mass services to go live in approximately 12 months, once the base infrastructure implementation phase is complete.

The contract not only includes the core of the fifth-generation mobile network but also key components of the telecommunications ecosystem, strengthening the operator’s ability to offer low-latency services, higher bandwidth, and support for critical applications.

Open RAN architecture and multi-vendor approach

One of the most significant technical elements of the project is the adoption of a Stand-Alone Open RAN architecture. This model allows for the integration of multiple technology providers, reducing dependence on a single manufacturer and promoting greater flexibility in the network’s evolution.

In addition to Ericsson, ICE has awarded Coasin-Nokia the contract to supply equipment and connectivity services for the base stations, creating a multi-vendor environment that aims to improve the infrastructure’s resilience and optimize its long-term scalability.

The project is part of a global investment exceeding $220m in ICE’s telecommunications ecosystem, which includes both the 5G network and improvements to the transport network and international connectivity.

According to the company, this effort is part of a broader digital transformation strategy launched in 2022, aimed at modernizing the country’s critical infrastructure and strengthening the company’s position in the telecommunications market.

ICE emphasizes that the new network will be designed under enhanced cybersecurity standards and aligned with international regulatory frameworks, in a context where technological sovereignty and network resilience have become global priorities.

With the award now finalized, the next phase focuses on executing the infrastructure deployment, network testing, and the gradual rollout of the service. The operator’s goal is to achieve nationwide coverage as quickly as possible, prioritizing urban areas and strategic connectivity corridors.

This piece was automatically translated from DCD's Spanish site and edited by a member of DCD's editorial staff.