ICE Allows Migration Of GSM to 3G Beginning
Today
The day has finally come for the thousands
who want to change from the GSM to 3G
technology without losing their number.
Beginning today, after a few days of delays,
the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad
(ICE), will allow its GSM customers to
switch to 3G and keep the same number, as
TDMA customers have been able to do so for
months.
Prior to today, those who switched had to
give their number for a new one.
The cost of 3G over GSM and TDMA is the
same. Customers won't see a change in their
billing unless they sign up for additional
services like internet data services or
purchase a 3G phone in one of ICE's Kolbi
plans.
What is involved in the switch is a
relinquishing of the service and signing a
new contract. All GSM customers have to do
is visit and ICE agency or authorized
outlet, bring a 3G phone or buy one of ICE's
3G plans and sign the contract.
Also, ICE plans to introduce next week
"prepaid" SIM cards.
Beginning on April 19, ICE will make
available 100.000 GSM lines for the prepaid
service. Customers can purchase ˘2.500,
˘5.000 and ˘10.000 prepaid SIM cards for use
in the GSM or 3G phones. The SIM cards can
then be "reloaded" at any ICE agency or
authorized sales office, supermarkets and
pharmacies.
There will be no waiting list, according to
Elbert Durán, spokesperson for ICE.
In keeping with ICE police, the prepaid
service, like the GSM and TDMA service, is
available only to nationals and legal
residents of Costa Rica. Non-residents
cannot subscribe to any ICE cellular
services.
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