Over the last century, the earth has faced some great inventions which have changed its course: the telephone and the internet. Both were received with the same insufficient trust, but slowly, they managed to get people’s attention and admiration. After years of continuos research, the technologies have brought us where we’re today. Everything seems possible with a computer as well as an internet connection: Video conferencing, watching movies and listening to music, publishing your thoughts and ideas for free. In Costa Rica, the largest communications operators are RACSA, Amnet Costa Rica and of course ICE Costa Rica Internet. American Data Networks has its origins in Costa Rica and it was meant to be considered a solution for world’s need of high capacity transmission of messages. They offer added value and services to all those companies with operations with high telecommunications requirements in Costa Rica. By doing this, they permit fast expansion of the web. The official mission of Amnet Costa Rica is be the best option in telecommunication services. They intend to offer constantly innovation in technology and to enhance the data. The internet will be a faster, more efficient and secure place. Trying to accomplish this mission, Amnet Costa Rica has become a leader on the market of telecommunications by focussing on two sides: the clients and also the high class standards. This tactic makes rid of it known in the world.
In Latin America, Costa Rica has got the second highest internet penetration, after Chile. Of course this country has a modern telecom infrastructure, it’s still the least liberalised telecom market in the region. As we allready mentioned, ICE Costa Rica internet (ICE - Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad) and its subsidiary RACSA possess the absolute power. Both fixed-line and mobile telephony, internet and all data communications are provided by them. The only exception is the pay TV. Nowadays, the current changes from the modern technology have influenced the old situation. When the monopol of ICE Costa Rica internet worked perfectly previously, now, it’s leading to big problems for its users. For instance, in December 2004, mobile lines ran dry completely.
Recently, VoIP services/ Servicios VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is among the newest technologies on the earth that threatens ICE’s hegemony. This new gadget is converting the voice signal right into a digital signal and transmit it to the internet connection. The most crucial benefits of VoIP calls would be the following: big savings on call rates, flexibility and best customer service. Too, it’s great capabilities such as: call forwarding to a specific number, send or call directly to voicemail, block the calling party number and voicemail, that is sent to the e-mail inbox being an attachment. Unhealthy parts are concerning the quality of service which depends on problems in power, Online connections and the security - VoIP is susceptible to worms, viruses and hacking. Taking into consideration all the benefits and all the disadvantages, we came to the coclusion this revolutionary technology will replace the traditional phone systems completely.