27/06/2025
The initiative has been launched by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, Technology and Telecommunications (MICITT), the Costa Rican Promoter of Innovation and Research (PCII) FIAP, within the framework of the 5G Connectivity in Costa Rica project.
In a strategic step towards the consolidation of a national ecosystem of innovation and digital transformation, Costa Rica has celebrated the official launch of the 5G Testbed, a pioneering platform in the region that will allow testing, validating and scaling advanced technologies such as 5G, 6G, Internet of Things (IoT), augmented reality, industrial automation and other emerging solutions. The launch event took place at the Radisson Hotel in San José, and brought together more than 150 representatives from the public and private sectors, academia, technology companies and entrepreneurs.
“This 5G Testbed will be a vital infrastructure for open innovation in telecommunications. It complements our efforts in network deployment and regulatory framework, providing an environment for companies of all sizes, especially MSMEs, and developers to explore the capabilities of 5G, thus democratizing access to cutting-edge technology and actively contributing to bridge the digital divide by offering solutions,” said Paula Bogantes, Minister of MICITT.
Patricia Rojas Figueredo, general manager of PCII, said: “We want this laboratory to be a living platform for collaboration, where new alliances emerge and the development of products that generate value from Costa Rica to the world is accelerated. We invite all sectors to take ownership of this space”.
The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive development, technological cooperation and the transition to a more equitable digital economy, particularly in countries with high innovative potential such as Costa Rica. These types of initiatives are part of the European vision of international collaboration for institutional strengthening and the promotion of sustainable digital transformation. “Costa Rica is a key partner to boost this type of projects in the region. The Testbed 5G Lab is a concrete example of the positive impact that international cooperation can have when it is oriented towards strengthening local capacities and technological inclusion,” said Pierre-Louis Lempereur, Ambassador of the European Union in Costa Rica.
For its part, FIAP, the entity that channels part of the European technical cooperation, has highlighted the transformative dimension of Testbed. “FIAP celebrates this space as an opportunity to connect technical knowledge with the sustainable development agenda. A Testbed like this multiplies the capacities of local actors to innovate, cooperate and grow as a network, while generating evidence for the design of more effective and inclusive public policies,” said Sonsoles Mories Álvarez, director of FIAP’s Economic Development and Environment Area.
The opening of the Testbed 5G Test Lab represents a turning point for the Costa Rican productive ecosystem. By facilitating access to emerging technologies in a controlled and collaborative environment, this infrastructure will allow companies of all sizes, especially micro, small and medium enterprises, to experiment, validate and scale technological solutions without incurring high costs. The Testbed 5G Test Lab will generate a direct bridge between scientific innovation, technological entrepreneurship and the formulation of evidence-based public policies. This initiative not only strengthens national competitiveness in the present, but also positions Costa Rica as a regional benchmark in the transition to a more inclusive, sustainable and knowledge-oriented digital economy.
