Ericsson and Liberty Latin America have made a remarkable announcement by launching Costa Rica’s first 5G Standalone (SA) network. This initiative marks a significant milestone in Central America’s digital transformation. With a six-year contract, Costa Rica now boasts a fully native 5G infrastructure, powered by Ericsson’s dual-mode 5G Core and advanced Radio Access Network (RAN) technologies.
This network implementation covers more than 1,400 sites across the nation, reaching 3.7 million subscribers. It promises faster speeds, lower latency, and improved reliability. Additionally, the enhanced Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) offers high-speed internet options in areas currently without fiber or cable connections.
The vendor highlighted that the 5G SA network is engineered to handle the surge in IoT devices’ demand while enhancing critical service areas like mobile broadband. This means faster, more reliable connections for both consumers and businesses in Costa Rica.
By supporting sectors like healthcare, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing, the network provides not just connectivity but also enables real-time data processing, automation, and advanced network programmability. These improvements come through innovations like artificial intelligence, network slicing, and APIs.
Guillermo Ponce, Senior VP for Central and South America at Liberty, expressed the company’s dedication to delivering state-of-the-art technology. He mentioned that it would boost economic growth by introducing new technological solutions. Reflecting on the deployment, Ericsson’s Sean Cryan emphasized the economic innovation and improved user experience as key benefits.
According to a 2022 study by Ericsson and Analysys Mason, 5G adoption in regions like Costa Rica has the potential to increase GDP by 0.3%–0.46% by 2035. This underscores the economic impact of advancing connectivity.
