Grupoice

What Grupoice does

Grupo ICE (Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad), operating under the corporate brand 'Grupo ICE' and publicly known as 'Grupoice', is a Costa Rican state-owned enterprise founded in 1949 and headquartered in San José. It functions as the national provider of electricity generation, transmission, and distribution services under regulated monopoly concessions, while simultaneously operating as a competitor in the Costa Rican telecommunications market through its mobile brand kölbi and its telecommunications and internet subsidiary RACSA. The group also encompasses CNFL (Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz) for electricity distribution and ICE Electricidad as the electricity services division. The company serves residential, commercial, industrial, and government customers across Costa Rica, offering prepaid electricity, electrical assistance, mobile telecommunications, internet access including 5G wireless via RACSA, and integrated ICT solutions for enterprises.

The company's revenue model is anchored in subscription/recurring revenue from regulated electricity tariffs and recurring telecom subscriptions. Electricity tariffs are differentiated by customer class (residential, business, industrial, public) and are set under regulatory frameworks. Non-regulated revenue streams include specialized electrical technology products (induction, electric boilers) and integrated business ICT solutions. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via online portals (Agencia Virtual Electricidad, mi kölbi), a physical retail network (Tienda ICE), customer service centers, mobile applications, and WhatsApp/telephone support. The firm runs public campaigns such as 'Apagá el desperdicio' (energy conservation) and 'Somos Sostenibilidad' (sustainability) and operates energy efficiency laboratories and renewable energy programs.

The underlying technology stack comprises national-scale electricity grid infrastructure (generation plants, transmission lines, distribution network), telecom networks including 5G wireless infrastructure through RACSA, and digital platforms for self-service account management. Recent strategic activity has emphasized renewable energy expansion (photovoltaic solar partnerships with PIMA), national infrastructure development (Route 32 lighting and connectivity, PAACUME water project partnership with SENARA), and digitization of customer service channels. As a state-owned enterprise governed by a Board of Directors (Consejo Directivo) and reporting to the Government of Costa Rica, Grupo ICE is not publicly traded and does not raise equity capital; expansion is funded through operational cash flow and government-directed capital programs.

Name

Grupoice

Legal name

Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE)

Website

https://grupoice.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1949

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Grupo ICE is Costa Rica's state-owned electricity and telecommunications provider, operating the national generation, transmission, and distribution grid under monopoly concessions while competing in mobile and internet services via its kölbi brand and RACSA subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric and Telecommunications Utilities

NAICS

Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Generation (22111), Hydroelectric Power Generation (221111)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991)

akta.pro primary industry

SCADA, Controls & Communications Integration (RTU, Fiber, Networking) (EUAEADAD)

Keywords

• Electric utility services
• Telecommunications services
• Mobile network operator
• Electricity distribution
• Public utility provider

Headquarters

HQ city

Escazú

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Electricity Sales: Grupo ICE generates revenue primarily through the sale of electricity to residential, commercial, industrial, and government customers across Costa Rica. Revenue is derived from regulated electricity tariffs and fees for connection, distribution, and consumption.
2. Telecommunications Services: Revenue from mobile telecommunications services (kölbi brand), internet access (including 5G wireless via RACSA), and related telecom products and services offered to consumers and businesses.
3. Non-Regulated Products and Services: Grupo ICE offers products and services outside regulated utility frameworks, including integrated solutions for businesses, specialized electrical technology (induction technology, electric boilers), and ICT solutions through subsidiaries.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Grupo ICE is Costa Rica's state-owned electricity and telecommunications conglomerate. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity nationwide through ICE Electricidad and CNFL, and provides mobile, internet (including 5G via RACSA), and integrated telecommunications solutions to residential, business, and government customers under the kölbi brand. The group also operates prepaid electricity, electrical assistance, integrated business solutions, and a retail store (Tienda ICE) for devices and services.

Product overview

Grupo ICE is a Costa Rican state-owned enterprise operating two main business segments: Electricity and Telecommunications. The electricity division includes ICE Electricidad, CNFL (Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz), and services like Electro Asistencia and Electricidad Prepago. The telecommunications division operates under the kölbi brand, includes RACSA for 5G internet services, and provides integrated business solutions. The company offers digital services including online portals, mobile apps, and virtual agencies for customer self-service.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• kölbi: Mobile telecommunications brand offering mobile services, SIM cards, and phone plans
• ICE Electricidad
• CNFL
• RACSA

Products and services

• ICE Electricidad Core electricity services division providing electrical services and special products for residential, commercial, and industrial customers, including current tariffs, technical standards, and regulated supply.
• Telecomunicaciones ICE / kölbi Mobile and fixed telecommunications brand offering mobile services, SIM cards, phone plans, coverage maps, speed data, accessibility services, and business connectivity solutions for residential and business customers.
• RACSA 5G Wireless Internet Costa Rican radiocommunication subsidiary providing 5G wireless internet solutions and advanced telecommunications connectivity services for homes and businesses.
• CNFL (Compañía Nacional de Fuerza y Luz) National power and light subsidiary providing electricity distribution services, including renewable/sustainable energy projects such as the GAM-area photovoltaic solar plant developed with PIMA.
• Electricidad Prepago Prepaid electricity service allowing residential and business customers to manage and pay for their electricity usage in advance, supporting budget control and underserved population access.
• Electro Asistencia Electrical assistance service for residential and business customers providing maintenance, troubleshooting, and emergency support with electrical issues.
• Soluciones Integrales Integrated technology and telecommunications solutions for business and enterprise customers, bundling electricity and ICT services tailored to commercial needs.
• Tienda ICE (ICE Store) Physical and online retail store selling mobile devices, SIM cards, accessories, and ICE/kölbi service products to residential and business customers.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PIMA (Programa Integral de Mercadeo Agropecuario)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025CNFL (a Grupo ICE subsidiary) and PIMA signed a contract for the construction of a photovoltaic solar plant in the Gran Área Metropolitana (GAM). This partnership supports Costa Rica's renewable energy objectives and sustainability agenda.
• SENARA (Servicio Nacional de Aguas Subterráneas, Riego y Avenamiento)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 June 2025SENARA and Grupo ICE signed a contract for the design and construction of water intake, conduction works, and archaeological activities as part of the 'Agua para la Bajura-PAACUME' project to supply water to the middle basin of the Tempisque River and coastal communities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/atuladoice
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ICEPrensa
• Facebookfacebook.com/iceelectricidad
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grupoicecr
• Instagraminstagram.com/grupoicecr
• TikToktiktok.com/@grupoicecr

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Grupoice