Cell Phones: How to get one

The Costa Rican Electricity Institute, or ICE (pronounced ee-say), is owned by the federal government and currently holds a monopoly on the country’s telecommunications industry. In mid-2008, Costa Ricans voted to join the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA, or TLC in Spanish).  Under CAFTA, ICE will eventually lose its monopoly over Costa Rica’s cell phone industry.

Cell phones are very popular in Costa Rica, though the service costs more than a fixed line telephone. Currently, cell phones are only available to Costa Rican citizens and legal residents. Prepaid cell phone service may soon be available to residents and visitors, but as of 2008, it is only used for delinquent accounts.

Step by Step: How to Get a Cell Phone

As a foreigner, there are two ways to get a cell phone in Costa Rica:
 
Option 1:
If you are a legal resident, you can apply for a line yourself. Since lines only become available several times yearly, keep your eyes on the newspaper for availability announcements. In addition, join ICE’s waiting list, which is utilized when current, unpaid lines are repossessed. You may apply either in your own name, or in the name of your Costa Rican business or corporation.

Before purchasing a cell phone line, you must first buy an approved cell phone. These phones are designated homolgado, and are the only phones guaranteed to work on ICE’s cellular phone network. On the day that you purchase your cell phone line, take your phone with you. After paying a ¢12,500 ($22.75) activation fee, ICE will provide you with a SIM card – put the card into your phone, and within a few hours, you will have a working line.

Option 2:
If you are not a Costa Rican citizen or legal resident, then you must ask a friend or family member who is to obtain an extra cell phone line in their name. The process is the same as in Option 1, but keep in mind that only the line owner will have authorization to make changes to the line. 

Paying Your Cell Phone Bill:

All cell phone bills are due monthly. Most pay-by dates are set for the end of the month (usually the 25th or 30th), though the exact due date depends on each account.

ICE usually texts the monthly bill to each subscriber a week or two before the bill is due. Cell phone users may also dial 187* from their phone to obtain a monthly balance (Spanish only).

Paying your cell phone bill is very easy. If your Costa Rican bank offers online bill paying, simply follow their instructions. If you prefer to pay in person, head to the nearest large supermarket (try Mas X Menos, Automercado or Pali), any bank or ICE office. At supermarkets, look for a Servimas center (usually located near the front registers) or a regular checkout counter – giving your cell phone number is all that is necessary. Generally, bills may be paid in cash only.

Other Options:

If you prefer not to have a permanent cell phone, there are several companies that will rent Costa Rican cell phones at fair rates.

For more information, please see:

Cell phones in Costa Rica
Communications: Phones & Internet