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Wildlife
New Cell Phone Tower – Pros and Cons for Nosara

Article by Ashley Steyaert

 

On Tuesday, June 8th, ICE installed a new telecommunications tower providing coverage across a circumference of 3 kilometers from its base on Las Huacas mountain overlooking Playa Guiones, expanding 3G service from as far as Barco Quebrado to Downtown Nosara.

For the first time, mobile phone service is available to many areas, including in Guiones and Pelada, but those with phones using older technology will have to upgrade.

Although the installation of the new tower increases the service coverage of 3G technology, which provides internet service, the tower has raised some concerns of neighbors regarding it’s potential impact on property values and health.

3G, or Third Generation International Mobile Telecommunications Services, includes wide-area wireless voice telephone, video calls, and wireless data, all in a mobile environment.

 

While the new ICE tower raises the service quality provided to local area 3G users, the aesthetics could lower the property value of real estate lots whose panoramic views may now be obstructed. Local La Campana real estate agent Christina Maya Trafton explains “if you can see a cell tower from your lot, it probably does lower the value… on the other hand, we all like to be able to communicate and talk with our friends and neighbors. It’s a trade-off.”

Kathleen King with Eco Realty says “I don’t see how [the tower] can’t lower the value [of nearby lots] because it’s ugly, [but] we definitely need it” for communication purposes.

Health concerns have been raised by at least one person who lives near the tower.
The effects of both frequent mobile phone use, as well as spending time in close proximity to towers which emit high frequency radiation, have been studied for years. The results of these studies have been mixed, and some have raised concerns about high and/or steady exposure.

International standards have been set to minimize the exposure levels, but because research on the health risks has not been conclusive one way or the other, much controversy surrounds exposure levels. According to the World Health Organization, the scientific and medical communities have reached a consensus that cancer or other negative health effects are unlikely to be caused by cellular phones or their base stations.

Foreigners who come to visit Costa Rica with their 3G cell phones such as the iPhone or Blackberry “need only to go to their service provider in their country prior to coming to Costa Rica and request roaming service and make a deposit. If ICE has a roaming agreement with that country, their 3G cell phone service will work the same as it does in the country of origin,” ICE according to Rose Mary Monge. “It works the same for people from Costa Rica who want to have 3G service abroad,” she adds. For more information on roaming and 3G service through ICE, visit their website at www.grupoice.com.

 

More Regional News

"My dream is to begin an art movement” says artist Fernando Matamoros

Nosara – During the month of August Fernando Matamoros, a well-known professional artist, will teach a course in Tradicinal Costa Rican painting. The course will be held at the Fucan and will entail eight classes of two hour each of them. The price for the classes is $120 and all materials will be supplied. More >

New location for Samara police building remains uncertain

Nicoya Mayor Eduardo Gutierrez met with members of CASATUR and the Integral Development Association in Sámara on June 22nd, during which time “various points regarding the situation in Sámara were taken in to account”, however “there are still many things that are not well defined” Carolina Alvarez C. tells VON. More >

Interview with Eliécer Rojas Flores, Rojas Castro Manager – “The pricing system was made by people sitting at desks.”

Eliécer Rojas, mechanical engineer for 30 years and soon-to-be first time father, assumed the general management of Rojas Castro Shipping Company, better known as Traroc, in January of 2010. A kind and open character, he was happy to respond to users’ complaints in the public meeting held in Samara on June 8th, and he also commented on the irregularities of buses that travel to Nosara. More >

Nosara Buses Might be Failing to Comply with the MOPT’s Regulations

According to the Manual Operativo (Operations Manual) of the Consejo de Transporte Público (CTP), the buses that provide service to Nosara should be medium-sized, long-distance units and not urban or city units, like the ones that are currently coming into town. More >

Reprimand for Local Buses“We have to use umbrellas so we don’t get wet inside the bus” according to Samara Passengers.

•The company’s manager feels ashamed and threatens to fire bus drivers that mistreat passengers

During the public hearing called by ARESEP, which was held on June 8th in Samara, several bus passengers declared their opposition to a raise in the bus fares. Teresa Arriaga explained that the service provided is not accessible for the handicapped, that the buses are filthy and that their tires are dangerously worn out. More >

Nosara’s urban roads will receive maintenance – Bad Weather has Restricted the Arrival of Machinery

The strong rains at the end of May destroyed Nosara’s main roads but, according to the Mayor of Nicoya, Luis Eduardo Gutiérrez Rosales, the Municipalidad is already working on their repair and maintenance. He mentioned that the Los Arenales area has already been inspected and that, according to this year’s budget, ¢800,000 colones will be assigned to it. More >

Father’s Day Murder-Suicide Shakes Quiet Community of Las Delicias

The people of Las Delicias are mourning the loss of two of young people who grew up together in the small village tucked behind Garza Beach, after an ongoing quarrel between them that ended in a harrowing murder-suicide on Sunday, June 20th, 2010. More >

Family Protection takes the form of Man’s Best Friend?

Ask any parent what comes first in their lives and most will say it is the safety of their family, and living in Costa Rica that can be an even a higher concern because of the added dangers that living in the jungle present. However, some local families and individuals are discovering their peace of mind for protection comes in the form of man’s best friend. More >

 

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