About

Juan Carlos Rodríguez leads a small team of two at Tigo Costa Rica, the operating brand name of Millicom. In a country where the private telecoms market is still developing, Rodríguez sees legal advice as a key part of corporate strategy, noting that, ‘the opening up of telecommunications in Costa Rica [means that] legal and regulatory support has been key to the successful incorporation of the company during the novel challenges of this sector in the country’. Establishing a harmonious relationship with the telecommunications regulator, despite the challenges of the new legislation in this field, has been a core aim for Rodríguez and his team. Despite these challenges he takes pride in the fact that the legal department has gone on to become key supporters of overall business and strategic decisions of the company. On challenges that are present in the region Rodríguez says: ‘In a market that, despite trade liberalisation, state-owned operators still carry much weight and where the political system is characterised by multiple “veto points”, the challenges are constant. Timely and quality internal advice, and the selection of the best firms have been crucial for the company to successfully develop in such an environment’. Rodríguez held a number of senior positions prior to joining Tigo. From 1992 to 1999 he was legal counsel at Central American cooperative milk producers Dos Pinos. He also led a legal advisory and consulting firm as general manager and senior partner.