July 25th , 2010 → 9:51 am @ admin // No Comments
CAFTA is bringing big businesses to Costa Rica to compete for utility services once controlled by the government. Although the country was split on the decision to join CAFTA, enough votes were garnered during the Arias administration for inclusion to the trade agreement.
The purpose of CAFT is to promote trade liberalization between the U.S. and five Central American countries; Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatamala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Carlos Slim is a Mexican businessman, philanthropist and the chairman and CEO of Telmex, Telcel and América Móvil. As of April 2010, he is the wealthiest person in the world with a net worth of around US $60.6 billion. His sons Carlos, Marco Antonio and Patrick Slim Domit run the day-to-day operations of Telmex, Telcel, and América Móvil. Check out InsideCostaRica.com for daily Costa Rica news. América Móvil Has Big Plans For Satellite Television In Costa Rica América Móvil, the telecommunications company of Mexican magnate Carlos Slim, has its eyes on Costa Rica, planning to make its mark in satellite television and cellular telecommunications. América Móvil is owner of the brand "Claro", which is well known in 18 different countries in the Americas. Ricardo Taylor, general manager of Claro Costa Rica confirmed that the company has already applied for a license to offer satellite television services and later to offer cellular phone and internet services in one single package. Competing for market position in the wireless market are also Digiel, Cable & Wireless, Millicom (Tigo) and Telefónica (Movistar), who will go head to head with Costa Rica's own, the state telecom, Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE). However, in addition to ICE, only three will get the go ahead from the Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel) that will be getting ready to make their choice of operators in August. However, it won't be until 2011 that operators will be able to offer their services to the public. América Móvil estimates that it can sign up 10.000 new clients a year for its satellite television. According to figures by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC), 30% of Costa Rican homes are connected to suscription television (cable or satellite), which represents a market potential of 330.000 subscribers.
