Looks like the government-run telephone monopoly, ICE, is feeling the squeeze from people moving toward VOIP (voice over internet protocol) technology. Instead of paying 25 to 50 cents a minute to call the US and Canada using a land line phone, more and more people are moving to online services such as Skype to make their phone calls.

Here in Costa Rica using, using any other phone service — including an internet service — is actually illegal. But it sure is hard for them to enforce it. So you know the old saying, "If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!"

This year, according to the Tico Times, ICE will be offering international calls through the internet at a cost of 10 times lower than their land line charges. Supposedly, the calls will be less expensive than the 2 cents a minute that Skype charges. The catch is you’ll have to purchase a monthly package. Time will tell whether it is a good deal or not.