| TT: Good morning and welcome to our live online chat with ICE services director Adolfo Arias.
TT: Hello Mr.. Arias, thank you for joining us this morning.
AA: Hello everybody, it's a pleasure to us to be with you
Reader: buenos dias Don Adolfo Arias
Reader: How many SMS platforms were operating yesterday for the sending of SMS messages to María José Castillo AA: We had an SMSC platform and a gateway plus the radiobases and four mobile switches
TT: For those of you who don't know, last night (Oct. 9) Costa Rican singer María José lost Latin American Idol. The ICE agency was involved because fans had to vote via text messages.
Reader: I have a question: I need to change my daughter's telephone because it is having many problems because is very old. She has TDMS technology. Why do we have to buy now a TDMS telephone and soon we have to buy another one for the new technology GSM? Why doesn't ICE have stock for this kind of changes? I shouldn't have to make two expenses.
AA: Good morning, TDMA technology is obsolete, actually that's a world issue, that's why ICE has to change its technology, even stores don't sell anymore new TDMA devices. What you may find are refurbished terminals. We have to change in order to have our client with the best and newest technologies. Anyway, ICE is going to think about strategies to support this change without difficulties for our clients.
TT: Mr. Arias has been working at the Costa Rican Electricity Institute since 1986.
Reader: How's ICE preparing for the competition when CAFTA (free-trade agreement with the U.S. ) finally passes in congress? Is ICE ready to compete with international companies offering better and faster services -- even giving free mobile phones if you sign a contract with them? AA: Yes of course, ICE is preparing to compete. We are going to introduce new services such as: Prepaid, Ring Back Tones, IPTV, Mobile TV, SMS and MMS gateways, and many other content services with commercial strategies such as the one we recently had with Latin American Idol.
Reader: I do not have residency but would love to get a cell phone. Do I have any options?
AA: Yes, we're going to deploy prepaid services in about two or three months and we're going to have about 20 or 30 thousand for visitors, so you may use your passport as an ID and have a service Reader: Can you describe the difference between SMS platforms of Panama and Costa Rica ? Thank you.
AA: I don't have access to Panama's SMS platforms, but let's consider Panama has two operators: Cable and Wireless and Movistar with different technology. These kinds of platforms are standard so I can say for sure they should be similar to ours.
TT: FYI, Costa Rica's María José was competing against a Panamanian Margarita Henríquez, whose votes ended up winning her the Latin American Idol contest. Reader: What's going to happen with all the clients still using TDMA? They will have to switch to GSM eventually? When and how? Still if you do that you have to wait because there are not enough GSM lines to offer to the public.
AA: This kind of client should migrate to GSM or to 3G. We expect to have a 300K GSM offer by December, so you can switch to that technology by that time. About TDMA shutdown we still don't have a date but you may find that stores don't provide any more new terminals for TDMA, so our recommendation is to switch to GSM as soon as possible. Reader: When will the blackberry service be commercially launched?
AA: In about two weeks, by mid-October. Reader: Mr. Arias, if I own a blackberry phone in the U.S., can we purchase a SIM card in Costa Rica to be on your network? If so, where can I buy one.
AA: Yes, in a few weeks (about mid-October) you can bring your BB to our commercial representatives and buy a service with our tariffs. I recommend you bring your ID and BB purchase ticket. Reader: Why didn't ICE do the same as the telecommunications companies did in Panama where they were giving a free text message for any message sent it...no wonder the girl from Panama won...
AA: What I know is that they didn't give really free messages exactly. What they did is to give a message free for two or more messages sent. Actually ICE gave free messages by its own too. Reader: Now we have the TLC (CAFTA), how the ICE will work with the private companies to come.
AA: We're preparing for that. We're preparing new services such as: Prepaid Movile Services, IPTV, Ring Back tones, and many others, so we're completely sure we can compete the same way they do. Reader: In terms of Internet services...I live at San Pedro and the ICE got lines for Acelera there but...oh surprise...there's no modems at the ICE or you have to wait months for one in order to get the connection...how will you manage the situation -again- to compete with new companies – or even cable companies who offer the service via cable modem...
AA: We're working on that. The new laws permit new possibilities for us. We're going to manage things faster.
TT: A bit more background, President Oscar Arias signed a law in early June that ended ICE's 59-year-old monopoly on telecommunications services, saying “We should not be running the company like a general store.” Reader: Mr. Arias, my question is: how can a company that is in the business of providing telephone service be so incapable of providing a simple phone line in a timely manner? If your business is selling phone lines, it seems to me that after so many years, this should be a very easy and fast thing for you to do.
AA: Yes, but we have to have services to offer. Our main problem was the laws approved to ICE. New laws may change the way ICE may react to market. We expect to do things better and that's our promise. Reader: Many (most?) Latin American countries have privatized telecommunications, but Costa Rica has not. Is it a philosophical difference we have here?
AA: That's a difficult question. Of course Costa Rica has many differences to other countries. Even you can find here things happening that you will never see any other places. Any way we love our country and the way we are. I really think there may be some philosophic differences of course. Reader: I also want to know when better high speed internet service will be available in and around the Jacó area.
AA: As far as I know we have already deployed by Jacó fiber optics. I will recommend you ask at our agencies in Jacó to have a better idea about dates. Reader: I travel often to the USA. What king of services I got in order to receive incoming and outgoing phone calls from Costa Rica and vice versa? Do I need a GSM phone and a different chip to do that? The new generation of mobile phones will be available here? Again how much time I need to wait for a new line?
AA: We have international roaming. You can ask for this service in our agencies. Of course we are working to have new mobile phones available (3G), iPhones, we're deploying BlackBerry in about two weeks. We're deploying 300K GSM lines in December. Reader: Mr. Arias I understand that TDMS is obsolete, this is why I want to know I have to buy a TDMS cellular because if I go to the ICE now to make this change I have to ask for the new technology and wait a year for it. If not my daughter has to wait at least one year to have her new cellular, why I can not immediately if I have the line?
AA: I recommend you to change to GSM in December, we're going to deploy 300K lines so you can take the chance to change. Reader: When exactly will TDMA become obsolete and what will ICE do for users with the old lines?
AA: TDMA is already obsolete. We're planning to move our clients to GSM and 3G networks. We're going to make a planned strategy to move them by next year. Reader: Congratulations on your and your team's work in recent days.
AA: Thank you so much. We have the commitment to support our talents and we have deployed a very professional team to have the best response. Thank you again!! Reader: Do we need to be a resident to buy the SIM card for BlackBerry?
AA: As far as I know, yes you do. I will suggest to program your BB in a prepaid line by December because we're going to have 20 or 30 thousand lines using prepaid and to those clients you can use your passport to have a service. Reader: So, my daughter has to wait for a new GMS maybe a year, what happens if she has the TDMS line, why does she have to wait? If I don't want to make two expenses, my direct question is why doesn't ICE have stock for these changes? If I have a line we have a privilege.
AA: I will suggest to change in December because we're deploying new lines. Call 115 or 193 for more information. We never have worked with stock for these changes, sorry for that, maybe we can change that policy in the future, I'm going to take your suggestion. Reader: We have been waiting 1 and 1/2 years here in Huacas, near Tamarindo, for landlines!!! How much longer do you think it will take? Why don't you hire more workers?
AA: We have already programmed Huacas to be installed by March 2009. A 50 meter tower has to be installed there. Reader: I have a TDMS telephone when do I need to make the change for the new technology, when is the last time?
AA: TDMA technology is already obsolete as I said, so you may have about 1 to change if your phone is still working and if you have stores still providing that kind of terminals. Anyway ICE is going to plan some kind of strategy to cooperate in the substitution, we will be informing by that time. Reader: I read your replies it looks like promises only, what will happen with the new companies
AA: They promise too....
Reader: Can you please elaborate on these "new laws"? How will it really change things?
AA: Ok, new laws refers to the new Telecommunications laws and the ICE's reinforcement laws. These laws introduce new rules on how you contract, the time expected to have equipment, the approvals you need, etc. The Telecommunications laws specify rules to new incoming companies and to us so we're going to compete under the same rules. Reader: So, I will wait for the new competition.
Reader: I have just entered the chat so perhaps this question was asked. Why does a foreign resident have to have a cedula (Costa Rican ID) to get a cellular phone line? AA: I have good news. We're going to deploy prepaid services so you can use your passport. We expect to have prepaid services to visitors by December. Cedula is our ID and the idea is to have a better control about our client, his personal information.
Reader: You are deploying BlackBerry in two weeks. Great! How will that service work? Do I buy the phone from an authorized distributor or from ICE?
AA: Yes, you can buy a service from an ICE's distributor later. By now you can ask one of our agencies. The service includes EDGE, MMS, push e-mail. You can have the personal service or the business service if you may have a company and may be interested in that service as well.
Reader: Mr. Arias, I applied for a new GMS line, I have TDMS but ICE said that I have to wait at least one year.
AA: I have good news. We're going to deploy 300 thousand lines in December.
Reader: When will you offer 3G service? AA: Yes, but we are going to have 950 thousand 3G lines by September 2009. Anyway, we can use the new laws at the beginning of the next year to buy more GSM lines if necessary. Current demand is about 100 thousand lines.
Reader: Mr. Arias, if I go the ICE in December with my daughter's new cell phone GMS, I will have to change for the new technology immediately, I will be included in the 300K lines or I have to apply now for it and see if I will be in the December list? Or for sure I will have the line is December to change TDMS to GSM?
AA: Apply now please, dial 115 or 193 or visit one of our agencies please.
Reader: When I decided to get internet connection I went to the ICE I found two major problems...first my landline belongs to my sister who is in France and I needed her to sign some papers in order to get the service because she owns the line and then...I needed to wait for the modem...they didn't tell me how much...that's why I decide to subscribe the service with my cable TV provider...you lost a potential client. How will you improve your service in order to prevent this with new clients?
AA: Thank you for your explanation. ICE wants to improve and of course let me have the chance to take your case and suggest potential changes in our rules. We are working in network improvements as well. You can buy the modem as well, enter our home page: www.grupoice.com to see certified modems.
Reader: What about internet services? I ended up buying the service with my cable TV provider because of their faster answer to get me the connection. What's the future plans at your company to improve this service? AA: We're going to improve. We're working on that. You are right.
Reader: When is ICE coming out with a pre-paid system that would permit non-resident foreigners (tourists, business tourists, visitors, etc.) to easily have access to a cell phone in Costa Rica, either by bringing their own phone and inserting a new chip here, or buying a phone here for that purpose?
AA: Yes, we're going to permit visitors with their phones using prepaid. Even you can buy the phone here. If you want a certified phone please visit our home page: www.grupoice.com.
Reader: If I order an IPhone or a Balckberry in the U.S. will ICE unblock it? I know they are cheaper there than buying them here. AA: Yes, you can bring your BB and we can activate it in our network. Iphone is not already licensed to our network so if you bring it we cannot activate the service any way you can put your SIM card in it under your own risk.
Reader: How exactly will the prepaid system work? Will it include SIM chips that can be inserted into cell phones? Does someone have to have a cell line already to use it?
AA: We're going to deploy new prepaid lines. You have to change the SIM card and the phone number at the beginning (maybe two or three months) because we're waiting for a new Prepaid Platform that is going to be deployed by the beginning of 2009, by that time the clients may use the same phone number as the have actually. In prepaid services you have to recharge the phone using cards or using your bank account. At the beginning we're going to use only prepaid cards, but gradually we're going to introduce other mechanisms.
Reader: Hello. What is the status of Blackberry service in CR? When will we be able to work online from the beach, say Punta Uva? AA: We're starting in two weeks. I'm not really sure about the cellular coverage in Punta Uva but if you have coverage you may use your BB of course!! We have already deployed GPRS and EDGE in all the country.
Reader: I requested Acelera service over a month ago, and am still being told that no service is available. When will I be able to get Acelera?
AA: We're deploying new ports actually. As far as I know the real problem is the modem availability. Please call 115 to have more information. I may suggest to buy the modem by yourself. If you want to see certified modems enter please our home page www.grupoice.com.
Reader: I am reading this script, and you answer the same thing over and over and over, we know about the 300K new lines! You should give us good reasons, not promises, so we can continue believing in the ICE
AA: What I'm saying is that we're going to deploy such lines that's not only a promise. I hope you may continue believing ICE, we believe you.
Reader: Thank you, Mr.. Arias. This was very interesting to talk to you.
AA: Same thank you. TT: Thanks for joining us. That's all for today. Stay tuned for the next chat.
TT: And remember to keep up with news about ICE online at www.ticotimes.net and in our weekly print edition. |
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