All Costa Rican Phone Numbers to Change in 2008
Date: 07/24/2007Costa Rica is running out of telephone numbers. Costa Rica has an antiquated dialing system that has never utilized regional codes or area codes (as in the U.S. and Canada). With more and more residents applying for land lines and cell phone numbers, Costa Rica's supply of seven-digit phone numbers is dwindling. For this reason, an eighth digit will be added to all phone numbers starting March 20, 2008.
From then on, dialers must add a "2" in front of all land-line numbers and an "8" before cell phone numbers. Sound simple? The transition will cost the government telecommunications company (ICE) at least $15 million. The funds will go toward buying new equipment and updating ICE call centers. Other funds have been designated to a publicity campaign announcing the change.
Some numbers will remain unaffected. Three-digit public service numbers like 911 for emergencies, 118 for firefighters, and 115 for ICE customer service, remain the same. Likewise, callers will still be able to dial seven-digit, toll-free "1-800" numbers and pay-per-minute "1-900" numbers-a "behind-the-scenes," change will allow the operating system to add an eighth digit automatically.
For international calls to Costa Rica, ICE will inform all international operators of the change, such that callers outside the country can get through without adding an eighth digit.
ICE says the additional digit will open up 100 million new combinations, which it insists will keep Costa Rica covered for another 30 years. Next year, ICE will only make available 10,000 new numbers each for land lines and cell phones.
While there will be new numbers available, that doesn't necessarily translate into new phone lines. In order for each new number to come with an actual line, further telecommunications infrastructure improvements are needed. As demand continues to outpace ICE's capacity, a good many Costa Rica residents will probably still have long waits for new lines in 2008 and beyond.
Your Latin America Insider,
Suzan Haskins
for International Living
P.S. Telecommunications issues aside, Costa Rica boasts very good infrastructure compared to other countries in Central America. The government is bent on making improvements and changes that will help the country move forward while preserving its wealth of natural resources. Learn more about life in Costa Rica (the good and the bad) from our group of experts and residents at our Live & Prosper in Costa Rica Seminar, November 5-7. Don't miss it.
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