Friday, June 12th, 2009
Earlier this week Apple introduced the new iPhone 3G S, some calling it the mother of all phones, but it won’t be in Costa Rica any time soon. At least not until competition in telecommunications comes to Costa Rica.
This week the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) – the state telecom – assured it is still in talks with Apple to distribute the iPhone in Costa Rica, something that Apple has been able to negotiate with most other operators.
ICE officials say that a “positive” response is expected in the coming months, following a year of negotiations with Apple.
Costa Rica is the only country in Central America and one of the few in Latin America where the iPhone is not sold officially.
All iPhones in the country have been purchased outside of Costa Rica and have been “unlocked” to work in Costa Rica. Even the authorized Apple store is not authorized to sell the iPhone, although several retailers offer it for sale at about twice or more the price in the US and for $100 will unlock any iPhone.
ICE recently began offering to business customers the Blackberry line of telephones are negotiating a deal with Canada’s RIM Technologies.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
Friday, June 12th, 2009
As the number of Influenza A(H1N1) flu cases crept past 100 in Costa Rica, the World Health Organization declared the worldwide situation a pandemic.
Based on the virus’ international reach, the ease of spread and the inability to predict its path, the organization raised its health alert to a Level 6 on Thursday.
The virus is contagious, spreading easily from one person to another, and from one country to another, said Margaret Chan, director general of the World Health Organization. As of today, nearly 30,000 confirmed cases have been reported in 74 countriesOn the basis of available evidencethe scientific criteria for an influenza pandemic have been met.
Since it was first detected in the neighbourhoods of Mexico City in mid-March, the virus has made its way to nearly every continent and caused 144 deaths.
In Costa Rica, of the more than 2,000 people examined, there are currently 104 confirmed cases, one death, and 10 likely cases awaiting testing.
Symptoms of the virus include fever, headache, cough, sore throat, body aches and fatigue. Health officials recommend contacting medical personal if you are experiencing symptoms and/or have been in contact with known cases.
Posted in Costa Rica News | No Comments »
