Liberty and Ericsson enhance 5G coverage to key regions and tourist communities in Costa Rica

Liberty Costa Rica, in partnership with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC), announces the commercial launch of the first sites of its 5G network in Costa Rica across multiple regions, progressing toward national coverage expected in 2026. This milestone follows a recent strategic contract, in June 2025, signed between Liberty Costa Rica and Ericsson to deploy the first 5G Standalone mobile service in Costa Rica, marking a significant step forward in the digitalization of the country.

Already live for thousands of provisioned subscribers, the phased rollout will extend 5G to communities, businesses, and critical services across the country. Early results show download speeds exceeding 1 Gbps and upload speeds above 100 Mbps. These speeds enable seamless streaming, instant downloads, low‑latency cloud and video conferencing, and power AR/VR, telemedicine, remote education, smart logistics, public safety, and industrial automation – transforming tourism, retail and public services nationwide.

The rollout, carried out in phases toward nationwide coverage expected by 2026, combines 5G deployment in the 3.5 GHz and 700 MHz bands to improve capacity, indoor penetration, and service continuity. Additionally, the network enables faster Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) services, delivering high-speed connectivity to homes and businesses, especially in areas where fiber or cable infrastructure is limited or unavailable. 

Johanna Escobar, General Manager at Liberty Costa Rica, says: “We are excited to see the progress we are making in deploying the 5G network together with Ericsson, and to continue our commitment to connecting communities. We want to contribute to the development and economic growth of Costa Rica through technology.” 

Sean Cryan, Head of LATAM North and Caribbean at Ericsson, adds: "As 5G becomes essential for digital transformation, robust security is fundamental; our comprehensive approach ensures networks are safe and reliable. This deployment, led by ICT leaders, reflects our commitment to the digitalization of Costa Rica—boosting connectivity, strengthening strategic sectors, and creating opportunities for people, businesses, and communities to harness the full potential of this next-generation technology."

Tourism – a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s economy, accounting for roughly 8–8.2 percent of GDP and 15.5 percent of jobs — is a priority in this initial phase. The rollout targets tourist and commercial hubs in Guanacaste, the Central Pacific, and the Northern Zone, to enhance experiences, boost local commerce, and support job creation.

5G networks will serve as enabling infrastructure to facilitate digitalization, automation, and enhanced connectivity, ushering in a new era of network security. Critical sectors such as manufacturing, logistics and transportation, tourism, and public safety will increasingly adopt these networks.