Smart phone lovers in Costa Rica no longer have to cross oceans or make back-alley deals to get what they want.

Blackberry devices will be available as early as July 2008 through the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE).

But its competitor – Apple's iPhone – has not yet brokered a deal with the state telephone monopoly, despite Internet rumors it was coming. An ICE spokeswoman said the two parties have not had any contractual discussions.

Costa Rica is one of few Latin American countries that will not have official access to the iPhone.

ICE will obtain 1,500 Blackberry devices, in both the Curve and Pearl models, to sell at specified retailers at prices ranging from ¢250,000 (about $500) to ¢350,000 (about $700).

Read this week's Tico Times for more on this story.