Between the months of May and June of 2015, some residents of the Guanacaste region in Costa Rica will be able to enjoy broadband Internet speeds of up to 20 Mbps thanks to a fiber optic cabling project that will be undertaken by the CoopeGuanacaste business consortium. This project is planned to cover the cantonal seats of Nicoya, Filadelfia and Santa Cruz.

According to tech journalist Carlos Cordero Perez of business weekly El Financiero, the above-mentioned project is the first stage of an ambitious plan that will cost more than $20 million. In the next 12 years, CoopeGuanacaste intends to bring fiber optic service to nearly 30,000 potential subscribers in the following cantons:

1. Carrillo
2. Filadelfia
3. Hojancha
4. Lepanto
5. Liberia
6. Nandayure
7. Nicoya
8. Paquera
9. Santa Cruz

Financing of this project will come mostly from Banco de Costa Rica and CoopeGuanacaste’s own reserves. Even after completion of the project, the business consortium estimates that an additional 40,000 potential subscribers could be enrolled. The initial 20 Mbps speeds are expected to enable IPTV service, meaning that subscribers in Guanacaste would be able to enjoy a single fiber optic connection to access broadband Internet as well premium television programming that is traditionally delivered over coaxial cable networks.

Long term evolution planning for this project may involve increasing broadband data speeds up to 1 Gbps for the purpose of delivering value-added services such as smart home automation, for which there could be great interest in Guanacaste and across Costa Rica, particularly among expat enclaves. Examples of smart home automation feature include remote monitoring via smartphone, intelligent security systems, IP telephony to complement mobile communications, and control of home appliances.

CoopeGuanacaste estimates that 2,400 fiber optic subscribers will be served in the next few months, particularly those who live in the Gold Coast beaches. By 2016, the company expects to serve more than 8,000 additional customers.