05 November 2024

Nokia has partnered with RACSA (Radiográfica Costarricense SA) to deploy the first 5G standalone (SA) network in Costa Rica.

The deployment will see high-speed, low latency 5G connectivity made available in urban centres including San Jose, Cartago, and Limon, as well as rural communities across the country.

The initial rollout phase saw 30 sites installed in major cities with a further 170 due later this year, with plans to expand to 500 sites in subsequent phases. The deployment enables faster internet access and supports the development of IoT applications, including those critical to public safety, energy, healthcare, and education.

The network also provides high-performance Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services to a wide range of businesses, including small and medium enterprises, public sector organisations, and consumers. GSMA Intelligence has forecast that FWA will grow exponentially compared to other broadband solutions over the next decade due to its ability to provide high-speed connectivity to regions without existing telecoms infrastructure.

Powered by Nokia’s integrator partner Datasys, RACSA has implemented solutions from Nokia’s AirScale radio portfolio including Massive MIMO radios, remote radio heads, and base stations. In addition, Nokia’s MantaRay Network Management solutions will deliver a unified, automated view of RACSA’s network, enhancing both monitoring and management capabilities. To support the 5G standalone (SA) RAN architecture, Nokia has also integrated its 5G SA Compact Mobility Unit (CMU) Core into the network.

“The utilisation of Nokia technology represents a pivotal step in Costa Rica’s digital transformation which RACSA has been playing a key role in for the last 103 years,” said Mauricio Barrantes, General Manager of RACSA. “By deploying the first 5G network in the country, we are not only improving connectivity for businesses and government entities but also enhancing the quality of life for our citizens. The high-speed, reliable network will support innovative applications that contribute to the country’s overall economic and social development.”