Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones, also known as Sutel, is a state-owned public regulatory authority and autonomous government agency headquartered in Costa Rica. Founded in 2009, the organization employs approximately 140 individuals. Functioning as a technically independent instrument appended to the Regulatory Authority for Public Services (ARESEP), Sutel was established to transition Costa Rica's telecommunications sector from a historic state monopoly into a competitive, liberalized marketplace. Operating with a dedicated board of commissioners and specialized public servants, its mandate includes overseeing market fairness for over 170 licensed operators and service providers.