www.CostaRicaTicas.com

This was mentioned in another thread and thought it would be useful to a lot of members...Possibly make this a sticky.

I would also like t know from any residents if this will effect outoing from CR to the states or will it stay the same 001-(area code) xxx-xxxx


Here is the information directly from the Groupice web site....

http://www.grupoice.com/esp/temas/camp/ ... ex_eng.htm

On Thursday, March 20, 2008, the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) will put into effect the new telephone numeration that will consist of 8 digits for residential and commercial telephones in addition to cellular telephony.

As of that date, telephone clients must dial the digit “2” before the already known number for fixed telephone lines and the digit “8” for cellular phone numbers.

The new national numeration contemplates the National Telecommunications System’s (SNT) current and future needs and considers the growth and distribution of the clients in addition to the capacity to satisfy new facilities and services demanded by technological innovation.

During this year and in the beginning of 2008, information will be provided to people, companies, operators, and national and international organizations on the scope and characteristics of this change.

In this sense, the Institution recommends that clients have foresight in the matter and apply the new telephone number with the new digit tostationery and publicity materials.

The extra number is being added to phones in Costa Rica therefore dialing out to phones in other counties, which are not adding another number, will be unaffected. You will still dial the U.S. as 001-xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Calling Costa Rica will result in a change. If calling the Hotel Morazan from the U.S. you would now dial 011-506-22-22-46-22 having added a 2 in front of the existing land line number. If you are calling a cell phone, for example a company called U.S. income tax their new number would be 011-506-83-05-31-49 having added an 8 as the first digit.

Just remember all cell phone numbers in Costa Rica, which did have a 3 or 8 as the first digit, will add an 8 as the first digit and all land lines will add a 2 as the first digit. Easy

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I have a CR cellphone and was told I needed to bring the phone somewhere for some kind of "reprogramming." Any truth to this?

Thanks - PHX

_________________
Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

According to the ICE news release that appeared in Inside Costa Rica this morning the only thing you need to do is turn your phone off and then back on.

" ICE Intensifies Publicity Campaign For Number Changeover
"Somate al Cambio" is the phrase that the Instittuto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) - state monopoly on telecommunications - is the awareness message that is being sent to the public for the changeover from a seven to eight digit telephone number on March 20.

The message is billboards, television, radio and print.

As well, all cellular telephone customers got a text message telling cellular customers to, on March 20, to turn off and then turn on again their cellular phones and to update the cellular phone's contacts to include the "8" prefix.

Cellular phones will automatically be registering to the new eight digit system once it is turned on on March 20. However, for users who keep their cellular phones on at all times, the changeover will not be automatic and will result in missed calls and dialing. The same is not required for fixed (land) line phones"



You will need to reprogram, yourself, all the numbers you have stored in your phones auto dial. Add an 8 in front of numbers that begin with a 3 or 8 and a 2 in front of all other numbers.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Makes sense. Thanks, ID

_________________
Why settle for just one woman when you can enjoy them all?

Current cell phone numbers begin with 3, 8, and 9.

So, the US embassy which is currently 519-2000 will be 2-519-2000. Is that right?

Correct

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I have never heard that. All the ICE literature & the local press always say that all cell phones start with a 3 or 8. At one time the 3 indicated a TDMA line and the 8 a GSM line but when they stopped installing anymore TDMA lines and went exclusively to GSM on the new lines they started using the 3 for GSM also.

Do you know of anyone who has a cell phone number that starts with a 9?

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

This newest batch of gsm lines have numbers starting with, 9 my exgirlfriend got a phone last week.

Thanks to you and Don Papi for the updated info. Good info to have when you have to decide to add a 2 or an 8 to a number.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Does this go into effect 12:01am (CR time) on Thursday or what?

With Tico time, it'll start probably on Saturday.

Hello gentlemen....its 1:07 tica time and yes I already have to call using the extra "8" in the number.

However, the only way I can call is calling directly. (Without the calling card). Recently, I started using the Tel3 calling card and it doesn't work. Anyone else having this issue? Maybe I will try using Pingo...be right back

Crap!!!! first duplicate post - sorry

pingo works fine....