What CONVERTEL does

Convertel (C.R.) S.A. is a privately held Costa Rican value-added reseller and systems integrator of telecommunications equipment, operating under the trade name CONVERTEL from its headquarters in Curridabat, San José. The company traces its origins to 1974 as INGENIERIA ELECTROLOGICA S.A. (IELSA), an electronics repair laboratory that pivoted in 1988 to manufacturer representation and was renamed Convertel (C.R.) S.A. in May 2003. It holds distribution and representation agreements with seven international telecom equipment manufacturers: VERTIV (DC power systems such as NetSure 5100 and 7100), ABB/Keymile (multiservice access and multiplexer platforms XMP1 and XMC20 for utility-grade networks), TAIT (P25 and DMR digital radios), 4RF (Aprisa microwave radios for SCADA and broadband access), Cambium Networks (PTP/PMP wireless broadband), LaMarche (DC/DC converters and battery chargers), and JPS Interoperability Solutions (ACU gateways and Radio-over-IP/SIP interoperability products).

The company delivers turnkey telecom infrastructure solutions across four primary verticals: government agencies (municipal and national), electrical utilities and power generators, ISPs/telecommunications service providers, and industrial enterprises. Its value proposition is the convergence of voice, video, and data over a unified telecom network, enabled by multi-vendor integration, regulatory and spectrum licensing advisory, network design, installation, commissioning, and ongoing technical support. CONVERTEL does not develop proprietary technology; all hardware and software IP resides with the represented manufacturers.

CONVERTEL's business model is dual-stream: hardware sales of represented equipment (resale margin economics) and professional services (consulting, system design, installation, commissioning, and support). Revenue is generated through direct B2B consultative sales and participation in Costa Rican public procurement tenders, with no retail, e-commerce, or self-serve channels. Pricing is handled via direct consultation and tender processes and is not publicly disclosed. Customer concentration in government and utility verticals, combined with tender-driven deal flow and a single-country operating geography, exposes the business to episodic, lumpy revenue cycles tied to public sector budget timing.

Name

CONVERTEL

Legal name

Convertel (C.R.) S.A.

Website

https://convertel.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Convertel (C.R.) S.A. is a Costa Rican value-added reseller and systems integrator representing seven international telecommunications equipment manufacturers (VERTIV, ABB, TAIT, 4RF, Cambium, LaMarche, JPS), serving government agencies, electrical utilities, ISPs, and enterprises with integrated telecom infrastructure solutions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Curridabat

HQ country

Costa Rica

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Equipment Supply: Supply of high-technology telecommunications equipment from represented manufacturers including VERTIV, ABB, TAIT, 4RF, Cambium Networks, LaMarche, and JPS. Revenue is generated through direct equipment sales to customers.
2. Professional Services: Telecommunications consulting, system design, installation, commissioning, and support services including radio link design, network integration with VoIP, interoperability solutions, and DC power plant deployment and maintenance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

CONVERTEL is a value-added reseller and authorized manufacturer representative supplying telecommunications equipment (DC power systems, microwave radios, digital radios, wireless broadband, interoperability gateways) from international brands VERTIV, ABB, TAIT, 4RF, Cambium Networks, LaMarche, and JPS to Costa Rican customers. The company wraps this equipment portfolio with professional services including telecommunications consulting, network design, installation, commissioning, and spectrum licensing advisory for converged voice, video, and data networks.

Product overview

CONVERTEL is a telecommunications equipment distributor and service provider representing multiple international manufacturers. Their portfolio is not a single unified platform but rather a collection of complementary product lines: VERTIV provides DC power systems (NetSure 5100 and 7100); ABB/Keymile offers network access and transport equipment (XMP1, XMC20); TAIT supplies P25 and DMR digital radios for mission-critical communications; 4RF delivers microwave radios (Aprisa XE, SR, SR+, FE) for SCADA and data transport; Cambium Networks provides wireless broadband PTP/PMP solutions; LaMarche offers DC/DC converters; and JPS Interoperability Solutions enables integration between radio, telephony, cellular, and satellite systems via ACU gateways and RoIP/SIP technology. Services include telecommunications consulting, installation, commissioning, spectrum regulation advisory, radio network design, and battery/power system testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VERTIV DC Power Systems (NetSure 5100 and NetSure 7100) Modular -48VDC/24VDC telecom power supply systems for telecommunications infrastructure sites. The NetSure 5100 is a compact system with up to 29 positions for 2000W rectifiers exceeding 600 amperes; the NetSure 7100 supports up to 2500 amperes per bay using 3500W rectifiers with modular mounting units and distribution cabinets. Distributed in Costa Rica on behalf of VERTIV (formerly Emerson Network Power).
• ABB/Keymile Multiservice Access and Transport Systems (XMP1, XMC20, SOX NMS) Mission-critical telecommunications equipment for electrical utility networks. The XMP1 multiservice access system supports voice, data, Ethernet, video, and teleprotection interfaces over SDH/PDH and SHDSL; the XMC20 hybrid multiplexer combines TDM-IP switching with SDH STM-16/4/1, MPLS-TP, and Ethernet interfaces; the SOX network management system provides configuration and monitoring. Distributed in Costa Rica following ABB's acquisition of Keymile's communication product line.
• TAIT Digital Radio Communications (P25 and DMR) Digital portable, mobile, and repeater radios for public safety, utilities, and transportation. P25 radios support APCO 25 Phase 1 and 2 standards for mission-critical communications; DMR radios support Tier 3 trunked and Level 2 standards for utility services and enterprise connectivity. Distributed in Costa Rica on behalf of TAIT Radio Communications.
• 4RF Aprisa Microwave and SCADA Radios (XE, SR, SR+, FE) Digital microwave radios for low-capacity, low-frequency applications. The Aprisa XE delivers broadband access up to 17 Mbps in licensed bands; the Aprisa SR and SR+ provide point-to-multipoint SCADA telemetry with AES encryption; the Aprisa FE provides point-to-point Ethernet for SCADA and high-resolution CCTV. Distributed in Costa Rica on behalf of 4RF Communications.
• Cambium Networks PTP and PMP Wireless Broadband Solutions Point-to-Point (PTP) and Point-to-MultiPoint (PMP) wireless broadband transport and access solutions for data, voice, and television services. Operates in licensed, assigned, or license-free frequencies. Used by service providers, enterprises, and government agencies in over 150 countries. Distributed in Costa Rica on behalf of Cambium Networks.
• LaMarche DC/DC Power Converters Compact self-contained DC/DC converters enabling use of 48V, 24V, and/or 12V equipment from an installed 130V source, available in 48V (15A, 750W), 24V (30A, 750W), and 12V (30A, 375W) configurations. Manufactured by LaMarche (ISO-9001:2008 certified since 1945) and distributed in Costa Rica by CONVERTEL.
• JPS Interoperability Solutions (ACU-2000, ACU-5000, NXU-2A, RSP-Z2, ACU-M, ACU-Z1, ACU-T, WAIS, SNV-12, ARA-1, RDCP, VIA) Interoperability gateways and controllers using Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms and the ACU (Adaptive Callbridge Unit) technology introduced in 1997. Provides transparent interoperability between radio systems, analog and digital telephone systems, cellular, and satellite phones via RoIP (Radio over IP) and SIP protocol integration. Includes mission-critical, tactical, wide-area, and rapid-deployable variants, plus cellular push-to-talk integration. Distributed in Costa Rica on behalf of JPS Interoperability Solutions.
• Telecommunications Consulting and Advisory Services Professional consulting covering telecommunications strategy, spectrum licensing advisory, regulatory compliance guidance for Costa Rican frameworks, and radio network design. Services delivered to government agencies, electrical utilities, service providers, and enterprises alongside equipment supply.
• Network Design, Installation, and Commissioning Services End-to-end network integration services including radio link design, network integration with VoIP, deployment of interoperability solutions, and DC power plant installation and maintenance. Includes ongoing technical support and battery/power system testing for deployed sites.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• VERTIV (formerly Emerson Network Power)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCONVERTEL is a distributor of VERTIV DC power systems in Costa Rica. VERTIV (formerly Emerson Network Power) provides uninterruptible power supply, power distribution, and control systems for telecommunications infrastructure. CONVERTEL represents and resells VERTIV products including the NetSure 5100 and NetSure 7100 power systems.
• ABB (Keymile)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCONVERTEL represents ABB's communication solutions for power generation applications, following ABB's acquisition of Keymile's communication product line. Products include the XMP1 multiservice access system and XMC20 hybrid multiplexers designed for mission-critical telecommunications in electrical utilities.
• TAIT Radio CommunicationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCONVERTEL represents TAIT, a global leader in radio communications solutions for public safety agencies, utilities, and transportation. TAIT specializes in P25 and DMR digital radio standards, providing portable radios, mobile units, and infrastructure for mission-critical communications.
• 4RF CommunicationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCONVERTEL represents 4RF, a manufacturer of digital microwave radios for low-capacity, low-frequency applications for telephony, data, and Ethernet. Products include the Aprisa XE broadband access radio, Aprisa SR+ for SCADA applications, and Aprisa FE point-to-point Ethernet radios.
• Cambium NetworkscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCONVERTEL represents Cambium Networks, a global leader in Point-to-Point (PTP) and Point-to-MultiPoint (PMP) wireless broadband solutions. Cambium serves millions of users in over 150 countries, providing wireless backhaul and access network solutions for service providers, enterprises, and government agencies.
• LaMarche ManufacturingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCONVERTEL represents LaMarche, a manufacturer of power converters since 1945. LaMarche produces DC/DC converters, battery chargers, and battery testers for telecommunications applications, with ISO-9001:2008 certified manufacturing.
• JPS Interoperability SolutionscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCONVERTEL represents JPS, a provider of interoperability solutions using digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms. JPS products enable transparent interoperability between radio systems, analog and digital telephone systems, cellular, and satellite phones, featuring the ACU (Adaptive Callbridge Unit) technology introduced in 1997.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• ScanSource: Specialty technology distributor offering hardware, software, and services across communications, networking, and wireless categories. Closely aligned with CONVERTEL's model of representing multiple mission-critical telecom brands and integrating them for enterprise and public-sector customers.
• Westcon-Comstor: Global value-added distributor specializing in unified communications, security, networking, and data center — exclusively focused on B2B channel sales of multi-vendor converged infrastructure. Operates the same multi-vendor representation and integration model as CONVERTEL, just at global scale.
• Jenne Inc. Value-added distributor of unified communications, collaboration, networking, and physical security solutions, serving as a converged-infrastructure reseller for B2B and public-sector customers. Comparable in size and operating model to a mid-sized multi-vendor telecom VAR like CONVERTEL.
• TESSCO Technologies: Value-added distributor focused specifically on wireless infrastructure — selling fixed and mobile wireless components, systems, and supplies to carriers, utilities, and public safety. Closely mirrors CONVERTEL's wireless/SCADA/radio focus areas (Cambium, 4RF, TAIT) for mission-critical utility communications.
• Black Box Corporation: Global integrator and distributor of communications and networking infrastructure, providing design, deployment, and support services for enterprise and government networks. Operates as a systems integrator with recurring services revenue, structurally similar to the consulting/integration arm of CONVERTEL's business.

Broad incumbents

• WESCO International (Anixter): Global value-added distributor of electrical, communications, and utility infrastructure products following the Anixter acquisition. Operates as a broad incumbent across the same multi-vendor telecom/utility equipment distribution space where CONVERTEL operates, but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Ingram Micro: One of the world's largest IT and telecom product distributors, serving resellers and vendors globally with logistics, supply chain, and technology services. Provides scale and channel reach that a small single-country VAR like CONVERTEL competes against when global vendors or large buyers seek Latin American distribution partners.
• Arrow Electronics: Global technology solutions distributor spanning enterprise computing, communications, and industrial components. Functions as a broad incumbent that increasingly addresses converged telecom/IT infrastructure, putting pressure on regional VARs by offering consolidated supply relationships to multinational customers operating in Costa Rica.
• Graybar Electric Company: North American leader in electrical, communications, and data network products distribution serving contractors, industrial, utility, and government customers. Comparable business model — multi-vendor electrical/communications equipment distribution to utility and public-sector end markets — but at materially greater scale and breadth.
• SYNNEX Corporation: Global IT distribution and solutions provider (now part of TD SYNNEX), offering enterprise computing, networking, and communications products through a broad portfolio. Represents the type of scaled, multi-category distributor that global vendors may favor over small regional VARs for strategic accounts in Latin America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 CONVERTEL