Snapshot: Costa Rica's telecoms market

In 2024, 92.9% of Costa Ricans used mobile telephony for personal use, with 84.3% of the total having one line, 12.8% two and 2% using three lines. 

Postpaid accounted for 62.8% of the market, with 77% of Costa Ricans owning a smartphone and 23% a conventional one, according to a new survey by the ICT ministry.

Of the total number of users who own a cell phone for personal use, 79.9% had access to mobile internet. State company ICE (Kölbi) was used by 42.4% of respondents, Liberty by 37.1% and Claro by 19.7%.

The most used apps were WhatsApp (90.1%) Facebook (64.2%) and Instagram (30%). 

Fixed internet

Fixed internet services were available in 73.7% of households in the country. In the center region, the figure reached 80%. 

Also, 34.2% of households without fixed internet service said prices were too high, 22.6% found it unnecessary and 13.4% preferred mobile connections.

Telecable had a 20.8% market share, Tigo and Liberty/Cabletica 18.1% each, Kölbi 17.8% and Claro 7.3%. 

Landline telephone service was used by 17.9% of households, while 69.7% had pay TV, with cable representing 47.4%.

Meanwhile, 21.9% of respondents had broadcast television, 17.2% digital cable, 3% satellite and 2.1% IPTV.