Costa Rica: RACSA promises fast internet in January

RACSA, the subsidiary of the once-telecommunications monopoly ICE, promises ultra-fast Internet communications are coming for their customers next January.

Company manager Orlando Cascante blamed delays on RACSA’s Swedish partner, Via Europa, for the January target date for offering the service. Not only is service to be faster but it will be much cheaper.

RACSA’s customers have longed for a break for quite a while. The subsidiary has been a worry for parent ICE when customers began abandoning its service when the market opened up.

Revenues dropped as service declined and customers fled until, in 2011, ICE was forced to give RACSA a company bailout to keep it afloat in a sea of red ink.

RACSA management hopes the rot will stop when it is able to offer 10 mpbs service for the colon equivalent of $50 per month. Currently, the same service costs customers $100 per month, reported La Nacion.

Cascante said the service will be provided by the lines of the Power and Light Company — also an ICE subsidiary.

Originally, Cascante announced, at a function last Sept. 24 by President Laura Chinchilla, that the service would begin this month. But what he should have said is that RACSA was ready — but the Swedish partner wasn’t.

Costa Rica: RACSA promises fast internet in January

RACSA, the subsidiary of the once-telecommunications monopoly ICE, promises ultra-fast Internet communications are coming for their customers next January.

Company manager Orlando Cascante blamed delays on RACSA’s Swedish partner, Via Europa, for the January target date for offering the service. Not only is service to be faster but it will be much cheaper.

RACSA’s customers have longed for a break for quite a while. The subsidiary has been a worry for parent ICE when customers began abandoning its service when the market opened up.

Revenues dropped as service declined and customers fled until, in 2011, ICE was forced to give RACSA a company bailout to keep it afloat in a sea of red ink.

RACSA management hopes the rot will stop when it is able to offer 10 mpbs service for the colon equivalent of $50 per month. Currently, the same service costs customers $100 per month, reported La Nacion.

Cascante said the service will be provided by the lines of the Power and Light Company — also an ICE subsidiary.

Originally, Cascante announced, at a function last Sept. 24 by President Laura Chinchilla, that the service would begin this month. But what he should have said is that RACSA was ready — but the Swedish partner wasn’t.

Great Bicycle Riding in Pura Vida Ville!

For those of you wondering about riding a road bicycle in Costa Rica I can offer a little insight.  As an experienced cyclist I can tell you riding in Pura Vida Ville is an adventure! Having competed in and finished two Ironman Triathlons I have considerable experience  road riding in Canada, the USA, Indonesia and now Costa Rica!  Three to four times a week I hit the road at 5 AM for my morning rides from 1.5 hours to 2 hours in length.  I have several great routes with some hills that will challenge the most experienced riders.  You may or may not know Costa Rica has some of the best mountain bike and road bike riders in the world. This past year a Costa Rican rode for one of the Tour de France teams.   After riding here for 6 years I know why!  These guys and gals learn very young how to handle some very steep grades both going up and coming down!  The roads here are narrow without wide shoulders so you have to be careful and keep your wits about you.  In the morning I ride with a blinking red tail lite, reflective vest and a very powerful 180 lumens headlite!  Thank goodness for the designer of this little gem!  No more hidden potholes at 35 kilometers per hour:-)  Hopefully no more broken collar bones!  The morning rides are wonderful with light traffic and the sound of the birds and monkeys echoing around the valleys and hills.  Riding through the small towns you will catch the smell of the wood burning stoves and the preparation of Gallo pinto and other wonderful dishes.  The sun rises in the rainy season are spectacular and can make the whole ride worthwhile.  The drivers here do drive a little crazy but they are used to seeing pedestrians, dogs, cows, horses, bikes whatever on the road so they normally give you a wide berth.  So if you lo love to cycle do not be afraid to bring your bike down or buy a nice one at some of the great bike shops in Liberia.  These stores have all the latest in gear and bikes so you will not be disappointed when you head to the store.  Cycle Guilly in downtown Liberia is great.  Ask for Peter!  Next time a little on mountain biking. Happy Trails!  Visit our website www.costaricadiscovered.com to pick your piece of paradise!