Although DSL Internet is available in 60 communities through out the country, ICE has only 43,000 subscribers for broadband services (Cable or DSL).  For every 1000 inhabitants, there are 10 high speed connections, which pales in comparison to other countries: South Korea – 248, USA – 127, Chile 59.  In Spain 85% of the homes have broadband Internet.

Current Communities with DSL

The ICE contends that over 1 million inhabitants have access to the Internet either at home, at work or at school. This places Costa Rica in a high position when compared to the rest of Latin America. Also plans for 2006 include the amplification of DSL service to 120 more communities, including Upala, La Fortuna, Tambor and Puerto Jiménez.  In the second half of the year 15 more locations will have the service including Quepos.

The equipment ICE currently has can handle up to 138,000 subscribers. According to Claudio Bermúdez, assistant manager of Telecommunication for ICE, has stated that the approval of the rate reduction currently before ARESEP is vital in order to make the service more popular. If approved, the rate for a 256 kpbs upload and 512 kpbs download DSL line would drop from $46.30 to $ 23.70.