ICE
Has No Set Date or Cost For 3G, But Taking
Applications In Any Event
Although many, the exact number is not
known, applied for a connection to the 3G
cellular network, in traditional ICE
fashion, there is no definite date when the
state telecom will actually be rolling out
the service.
Elbert Durán, spokesperson for ICE, said
that next a date of the middle of December
has been talked about and that next week
there may be an announcement of the exact
date for the launch of 3G in Costa Rica.
However, don't get too excited. Although the
3G network is a much superior network,
allowing the transfer of data - photos,
music, video, live television, etc - over a
wide band connection, the introduction of 3G
in Costa Rica will have no sizzle.
ICE says that the service will be introduced
in its basic form - ie, making and receiving
calls, text messaging - and that the full
spectrum of 3G services will be introduced
gradually by next year.
In addition, it is not clear what the
service will cost.
Durán said that the the 3G service will cost
between ˘2.500 and ˘15.000 colones,
depending on the services the customer
subscribes to.
Many will be disappointed, for to take
advantage of all the 3G services - when they
are made available - one needs a 3G enabled
phone - an iPhone, Blackberry, Nokia e71,
for example - and none of these are on the
cheap.
A simple, non 3G phone, will work on the 3G
network but cannot receive or transmit
anything than basic voice and text.
ICE already has a deal with RIM Technologies
for the Blackberry. Durán said that ICE is
currently negotiating with Apple for the 3G.
However, don't get too excited, as those US
prices for like the iPhone will surely not
be available in Costa Rica.
An unlocked (jail broken) iPhone purchased
online or outside Costa Rica runs from
us$700 and up. For example, Movistar in
Colombia sells an locked iPhone for about
$750. A locked iPhone can be purchased in
the US for $299.
The same goes for the Blackberry and other
3G enable phones.
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