Grupo ICE achieves gigabit speeds in 5G trial

Costa Rica’s state-backed utility/telecoms operator Grupo ICE has announced that it has successfully achieved transmission speeds of 1Gbps in a 5G trial. The proof of concept (PoC) testing was carried out in conjunction with the University of Costa Rica at the latter’s Ciudad Universitaria Rodrigo Facio campus.

The trial, Grupo ICE notes, was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of Costa Rica’s first ever internet connection on 26 January 1993. As per local press reports, the demonstration was carried out via Grupo ICE’s Kolbi mobile unit and utilised a block of 3.5GHz spectrum held by sister company Radiografica Costarricense (RACSA).

According to TeleGeography’s GlobalComms Database, in September 2022 Costa Rican president Rodrigo Chaves Robles confirmed that he had signed an agreement which would see Grupo ICE return its unused 5G-suitable spectrum. The agreement was signed on 7 September and covered frequencies in the 3400MHz-3500MHz and 3600MHz-3625MHz bands.