Costa Rica’s Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (SUTEL) opened a public consultation on a proposed resolution establishing a specific homologation procedure for Standard Power (SP) devices controlled by Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) systems operating in the 5925 MHz to 7125 MHz band. The consultation was published in La Gaceta on May 15, 2026, with comments accepted until June 1, 2026.

The proposal follows the partial amendment of Costa Rica’s National Frequency Allocation Plan (PNAF) through Executive Decree No. 45769-MICITT, published on April 29, 2026, which introduced new provisions for free-use frequencies in the 6 GHz band and authorized Standard Power operation for devices controlled by AFC systems. The PNAF amendment also established that SUTEL would define the operating conditions for this band by resolution.

The draft procedure would require interested parties to first register with SUTEL’s Dirección General de Calidad (DGC) before submitting homologation requests for AFC-controlled SP devices. All documentation must be submitted in Spanish, or accompanied by a Spanish translation. Applicants must also provide a sworn declaration confirming that the devices will operate under the conditions defined in the SUTEL homologation certificate and that registered serial numbers will match the certified brand, model and certificate number.

For each device, applicants would need to provide the brand, model, hardware version, software or firmware version, technical documentation demonstrating that the device can communicate its geolocation to an AFC system at least once per day, operating frequency range, maximum EIRP or conducted power, antenna gain, antenna type and elevation angle. The proposal recognizes two main device categories: Standard Power Access Points (APSP) and Fixed Client Devices (DFC).

The proposal also requires device images, manufacturer technical specifications and at least one international certification or test report issued or validated by recognized entities such as FCC, ISED, ETSI/CE, ANATEL or an internationally certified laboratory. The documentation must demonstrate that the device reports its exact geographic location to a centralized system for dynamic power assignment and protection of services against harmful interference. Compliance reports should be based on Wi-Fi Alliance and Wireless Innovation Forum technical protocols for AFC systems.

Once requirements are met, the DGC would issue the homologation office letter within 10 business days. Before distribution or commercialization, applicants would also need to register the serial numbers of homologated devices. In addition, after obtaining the certificate and registering serial numbers, applicants must enter into an agreement with a SUTEL-accredited AFC database administrator; until that agreement is in force, devices cannot operate under SP/AFC mode.