Strengthen trusted 5G in costa rica by closing three gaps?capacity, proven use-cases, and coordination

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (WHA) awarded a $160,000 Project Grant to Ernst & Young SA under the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Assistance Coordination (WHA/AC) Grant Programs (CFDA 19.750) on September 30, 2025. This grant supports a technical assistance and capacity-building initiative designed to strengthen trusted 5G telecommunications infrastructure in Costa Rica. The program operates by providing direct support to subnational operators and municipalities, addressing three critical gaps: capacity constraints, demonstration of proven use-cases, and coordination mechanisms necessary for advancing digital infrastructure development in the country.

The initiative is structured as a technical assistance program that builds institutional capacity among regional telecommunications operators and local government entities to implement and expand 5G network deployment. The project period extends one year from the award date through September 30, 2026. This award aligns with the WHA's broader strategic objectives to advance digital infrastructure and promote economic development across Latin America and the Caribbean, positioning trusted 5G deployment as a foundational component of regional technological advancement and connectivity.

The program will operate as a technical assistance and capacity-building initiative that supports subnational operators and municipalities in their SE