www.CostaRicaTicas.com

With the ever expanding use of VoIP telephoning via the Internet (probably like the free phonecall to the US that CRTers use in ZB), Costa Rica's telephone monopoly, ICE, is calling for some interesting legislation. People such as myself, that can work from any location that has highspeed Internet, could come out on the short end of the stick on this one.

http://www.techweb.com/wire/networking/60403862

ICE is the biggest joke in Costa Rica. They don't want to work and they don't want any competition coming in. The communication system in this country is worse than most countries in Africa. And they still have the nerve to go on strike all the time. Free trade is not high priority down here.

Costa Rica is one of only two countries (Ecuador?) in all of Central and South America that still have government controlled telephone systems.
Incredible. Wasn't ICE on strike last year, along with the teachers? I think the government finally conceded to most of their demands.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

You would not believe how much power this uneducated, lazy, union has in this country. ICE's union is about 10,000 strong and they hold this country hostage whenever they want something.

Attempting to criminalize VOIP access/use is ridiculous. As if the policia
in CR don't already have their hands full! You would think that the law
enforcement personnel would (or should) already be overworked with
the corruption in government and business, enforcing the new motor vehicle inspection law, investigating domestic abuse cases, etc. I suppose they got the idea from the USs' recent attempt to classify VOIP as a
telephone service. Why the f*ck don't they focus their attentions on
crimes involving real victims, such as the above mentioned cases as well as forcing fathers to pay Ch*ld support. It seems to me that would
alleviate many more societal problems than enacting and enforcing laws
involving victimless 'crimes'.

_________________
"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)