Question for people living in Costa Rica

[da1ghost]

If the electricity goes out...who's fault is that?
I am being told that it is the municipality.

I for some reason think that that is wrong. I think the problem would be ICE, which is nationwide, wheather the wiring is messed up in one municipality or the whole country. The responsibilty is ICE in my view. And if this is correct, then is it also correct to say that this country has service problems with electricity because there is only one company, which happens to be government run?

Please give your viewpoints, I would like to walk away either understanding what this really is, or knowing that this is what it is.

I am also being told that Escazu is the only area with problems. I know in Heredia the power goes out about twice a week. I also remember in San Pedro we had similar problems. Please let me know if you have ever had electricity problems while living in Costa Rica.

 

[American]

The power goes out here and there in San Pedro, usually when there's a rainstorm. It's Usually not for very long. The problem with Fuerza y Luz is when you need customer service. Fuerza y Luz is very slow to react to customer problems.

The same can be said for the telephone monopoly ICE. Both of these monoploies are outdated dinosaurs using outdated technology and are LOOTING Costa Rica. So much money that's being embesseled is flowing through these two it's disgusting. How else could a monolpoly like ICE in a country of 4 million people, who are mostly flat broke, find itself with $800 million in operating losses?

These two shit companies are standing in the way of economic progress for Costa Rica. What's more important than economic progress? People's feelings?

 

[wolfie_cr]

Usually its either a storm or a car hitting some post that carries electrical wires, I suggest you put ups's in all your computers and surge protectors in your main entertainment equipments (Tv,dvd,vcr,etc)

There have been a couple of nationwide blackouts that lasted like 3-4 hours each in the last ten years, usually the problem is localized, the responsible parties would be either CNFL (Compania Nacional de Fuerza y Luz) or ICE or if you live in Heredia the ESPH

 

[da1ghost]

What bothers me, is the fact that power outtages are acceptable here. If you ask someone why this country sucks so bad with the electricity, they say it's not bad out of pride. And then continue to argue on a mute point of how electricity has never gone out where they live in their whole life. I can understand the pride, but come on people....as long as people are ignorant tot he fact that things are beiong done so wrong....it will never get fixed. If this is a governmetal problem, I think the people should first get past their pride and understand no on is attacking them...just critisizing the way things work....once they understand that...they should stand up and complain to as a group...that may help.

 

[wolfie_cr]

You are right, for the big companies that absolutely need it and produce big bucks (i.e. Intel) they get top of the line quality service

About electricity I really don't have a problem with it, its VERY cheap compared to other countries and its completely widespread, and while quality is not the best , its acceptable for a Latin American country (lets not forget that this IS the third world)

The thing that really gets me freaking mad its the internet, why can't they put dsl in less than 4 years !!!!!!!! ugh, if ANY company would offer the service for twice what ICE intends to bill (whenever that is) I would buy it, the most expensive service is the one you can't get and right now we are stuck with dial up or cable (if you happen to live in a neighborhood that has internet by cable)

 

[LOBSTER]

Ghost, to answer your first question:" If the electricity goes out...who's fault is that?
I am being told that it is the municipality."

It really depends on what area you are talking about, there are 7 or 8 different "companies" that distribute electricity in Costa Rica. ICE and Fuerza y Luz are the biggest ones (Fuerza y Luz belongs to ICE). There is also JASEC, COOPELESCA, COOPEGUANACASTE etc. These are all "cooperativas" and they handle the electricity in places like Cartago, Heredia, San Carlos etc.

The municipalities do not handle anything having to do with electrical services.

 

[SrMuny]

WHO CARES, CANDLES are CHEAP here.....LOL

http://www.bonestamp.com/images/animations/Image6.gif

 

[da1ghost]

Lobster, thank you for your post.

Wolfie, they do have DSL here, that is what THEY call dedicated line adn it runs for about $440 for 128k. It is not true DSL as DSL should be 1440k and is usually around $50. They have both Adsl and sdsl here....don't get it...too undependable.

 

[wolfie_cr]

Ghost, the dsl I am talking about its what they have been working on literally forever, its real dsl through ICE , you get 1024/128 for 60 bucks I think?

They have a pilot plan going right now but until they are done with the endless process of contracting/appealing/assigning again etc they will not offer it widely

The "dsl" you talk about is from RACSA I think and its of course above and beyond what a soho/residential user can afford

 

[sometech]

so they have been having discussions on opening up the monopoly. Untill they do basic services won't get much better.

There just is not enough money in the goverment to cover roads, power, salaries (did you know diputado's get a pention for life) and everything else on the taxation of phone and imports.

 

[wolfie_cr]

The goverment having money is just a small part of the problem IMHO

Its just that every single thing that any goverment does is likely to be inefficient and even more so in 3rd world countries like mine.

The less the goverment has to do , the better for everyone

At some point in time it made complete sense to have the power/phone in the hands of the goverment but right now its just something that drags on every possible oportunity of progress for CR

 

[da1ghost]

The way I look at it is, if they opened up the monopoly for electricity and phones...there would have to be a robust business/income tax system put into place to make up for the loss of ICE and possibly make more than ICE does for the government.

That is how the rest of the world operates, so I don't see why it wouldn't work here.

Oh wait, I do...corruption.

 

[da1ghost]

I apologize about the corruption remark, that was rude as true as it may be.

 

[GringoinCR]

Ghost, the DR is lucky if they GET 5 hours of power per day.

 

[da1ghost]

I can imagine, but atleast you know that, and people there will tell you that. There are a fwe people here that think it's perfect.

You aere still doing good, try Belize...wow that was messed.

 

[WildBill]

If they opened up the utilities to real companies and competition how would family members of the government ever get a job???

 

[da1ghost]

Their minds are all closed, they don't see it the way it could be...they only know what it is.

 

[GringoinCR]

You have to get an invertor with a bank of batteries. Since the power grid is not on enough to charge your batteries, you need to get a diesel generator to charge your invertor. All the while, the power company is charging you extra to make up for what the goverment stiffed them out of. So you get 5 hours per day but get billed for around 70 hours. Nice system?

 

[radiofreecostarica]

opening a monopoly is never a good way to make it cheaper, much less better. Many here need to suck it up and realize that you chose to live in a third world country.
Think about the times the electricity works, and works well, compared to other nations in the region. I´d answer your bitching with 'it works well' too!

 

[LOBSTER]

Radio...do u by any chance work in ICE!!???