The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE), through its commercial brand, kölbi, has announced the integration of the next-generation TAM-1 submarine cable, a strategic infrastructure project that will expand the country’s international connectivity capacity 23-fold.
Scheduled to be operational by the last quarter of 2025, the TAM-1 cable is set to become a major catalyst for Costa Rica’s technological and economic growth. Its deployment is expected to attract foreign investment, support local data center development, and drive the growth of technology and digital services companies.
Stretching 7,000 kilometers along the Atlantic coast, the TAM-1 connects the United States to South America, reducing latency and improving user experiences across video calls, online gaming, financial transactions, streaming, and other data-intensive applications.
With this upgrade, kölbi aims to deliver higher-quality services for retail, business, and wholesale customers through diverse, robust, and secure connectivity options. The initiative aligns with other network advancements, including transport network enhancements, fiber-optic expansion, and the deployment of 5G.
“For kölbi, this connection represents more than a technical improvement; it’s a commitment to Costa Rica’s development. TAM-1 will connect countries, providing business opportunities, innovation, and progress. We are consolidating our commitment to national development,” said Leda Acevedo, ICE Telecommunications Manager.
She added, “TAM-1 integrates cutting-edge technologies, allows for upgrades without physical intervention, improves operational efficiency, and diversifies international connectivity routes. We will reduce costs, improve service quality and performance, and offer more competitive prices.”
Julio Bran, CEO of Trans Americas Fiber Systems, highlighted the significance of the partnership:
Working alongside a leading entity like kölbi allows us to guarantee a successful deployment aligned with the country’s needs. The alliance represents a fundamental step in our mission to transform digital connectivity in Latin America.
Equipped with 24 fiber pairs, TAM-1 will support high-capacity transmission, allowing kölbi to scale up to 18 terabits per second, with potential for further upgrades. This capability will be crucial for meeting the increasing demand for streaming, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and 5G services.
Key Benefits for Costa Rica
- Enhanced Regional Connectivity: TAM-1 will link the U.S. with Central America, the Caribbean, and South American countries, including Colombia. In Costa Rica, it will strengthen ties with one of the world’s largest data hubs, the NAP of the Americas in Miami.
- Improved Security and Efficiency: Designed for long-term ocean floor deployment, TAM-1 will deliver secure, robust, and efficient international connections, reducing latency and increasing transmission speeds.
With TAM-1, kölbi reaffirms its role as a key driver of connectivity, positioning Costa Rica for a secure, high-performance, and opportunity-rich digital future.
