Ericsson has confirmed that it has secured a contract from the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) to deploy a 5G Standalone network for ICE’s telecommunications division, Kölbi. The confirmation, which came on Friday, follows initial reports of the deal that first surfaced in May. Ericsson did not publicly verify the contract until August.
The 5G Standalone deployment for Kölbi marks a significant development for Ericsson Costa Rica operations and introduces a range of advanced network capabilities to the country’s state-owned electricity and telecoms service provider.
Ericsson Confirms 5G Standalone Deployment for ICE
Under the terms of the contract, Ericsson will deliver a comprehensive 5G Standalone network that includes network slicing, built-in cybersecurity, open and standardised interfaces, advanced management capabilities and LTE RAN expansion. The LTE RAN expansion is designed to strengthen existing coverage and capacity across ICE’s network footprint.
Sean Cryan, customer unit head for LATAM North and Caribbean at Ericsson, said the project addresses ICE’s stringent demands for digital security. The deployment combines secure 5G SA architecture with Open RAN principles and advanced cybersecurity measures, while applying security-by-design, extensive testing and continuous vulnerability management in line with international standards and ICE’s own specifications.
“Our priority is to provide cutting-edge technology that meets the highest standards of quality, security and performance, enabling ICE and the country to fully realize the benefits of 5G and elevate their service portfolio for customers, citizens and institutions, while supporting the continued growth of connectivity in Costa Rica,” Cryan said in a statement.
Network Core and RAN Solutions Support Kölbi
Ericsson will provide its dual-mode 5G core alongside 4G and 5G RAN solutions as part of the ICE 5G network rollout. The dual-mode core is designed to support both existing 4G infrastructure and the new 5G Standalone architecture, providing Kölbi 5G services with a modern and flexible network foundation.
The inclusion of network slicing within the 5G SA deployment will enable ICE to create dedicated virtual network segments tailored to different use cases and customer requirements. Combined with built-in cybersecurity and open, standardised interfaces, the platform is intended to offer ICE a network that meets high standards of security and interoperability.
ICE and Kölbi are arriving later than some competitors in Costa Rica’s 5G landscape. Both Claro and Liberty Costa Rica have already rolled out 5G coverage in the San José metropolitan area and other major cities, and are progressing with a nationwide rollout. Liberty is also using equipment from Ericsson for its own 5G network.
AI-Powered Automation Added to Network Platform
A notable element of the Ericsson Costa Rica contract is the inclusion of the Ericsson Intelligent Automation Platform, known as EIAP, which is designed for managing open, multi-vendor and multi-technology networks. According to Ericsson, the deployment represents the first time EIAP has been deployed in Latin America.
ICE will initially trial a selection of AI-powered anomaly optimisation rApps from Ericsson on the platform. These rApps are intended to improve detection, optimisation and resilience across the network. By introducing intelligent automation early in the 5G Standalone deployment, ICE aims to enhance the performance and reliability of its network operations from the outset.
The combination of EIAP with the broader 5G SA architecture, network slicing capabilities and cybersecurity provisions positions the Kölbi 5G network to operate within a framework that supports both current requirements and evolving demands. The contract underscores Ericsson’s expanding presence in the Latin American telecommunications market, building on its existing relationship with Liberty Costa Rica and extending its footprint through this new agreement with ICE.