Mobile internet usage in Costa Rica has increased by nearly 60 percent over the past twelve months. Nearly half of mobile customers are currently using mobile data services on their handsets, according to a study by local newspaper El Financiero.

Costa Rican operator ICE reports that over 38.2 percent of its mobile customers are using smartphones. Around 50 percent of Movistar’s user base is using smartphones and 83 percent is accessing mobile internet services. Movistar estimates that by 2014, smartphones will account for nearly 80 percent of its overall handset sales.

The report further shows that around 55 percent of Claro’s mobile customer base is also using mobile data services, and 7 in 10 handsets that connect to the internet via its mobile network are smartphones.

Article by telecompaper.