Telconet & ASN Announce Construction of CSN-1
ASN Press Release
March 28, 2022
Telconet and Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), part of Nokia, have executed a system supply contract, which is now in force, and have started construction of the Carnival Submarine Network-1 (CSN-1).
This 4,500 km submarine cable will enhance the resilience of international communications between Ecuador, Panama, Colombia and the USA, plus potentially other countries within Central and South America.
The submarine cable will utilize ASN’s field-proven, high fiber count SDM Open-Cable technology solutions.
Telconet and Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN) have executed a system supply contract of the 4,500 km CSN-1 Submarine Cable System, a project which will improve communications resilience between Latam and the USA.
Telconet, the Ecuador-based infrastructure and telecom operator, has contracted ASN to construct CSN-1 to respond to various local and regional needs:
- Improve international communications redundancy between Ecuador, its neighbors, and the USA, complementing Telconet’s existing PCCS network;
- Provide connectivity opportunity to Central America, where existing cables are aging;
- Improve LATAM communications latency and diversity to important USA data centers, by being the first fiber-optic subsea cable landing on the west coast of Florida.
CSN-1 will utilize ASN’s field proven, state of the art, high fiber count, SDM submarine cable technology. The cable will adhere to the industry’s Open Cable architecture, further supporting its goal to be carrier neutral and provide open access in each of the CSN-1 landing stations.
The CSN-1 Supply Contract executed between Telconet and ASN is now in force and supports CSN- 1 construction between Ecuador, Panama, Colombia, and the Florida West coast. The potential to extend CSN-1 to Central and South America is anticipated in the contract.
Carlos Pazmino, Telconet’s CSN-1 Project Leader shares his perspective on the project: “Getting to this point has meant a great effort for the ASN and TELCONET teams, the last one supported by DRG. We are sure the CSN-1 will become an excellent connectivity alternative and will be key in improving digitization not only in Ecuador but in countries of South and Central America, which have not yet benefitted as fully from new subsea communications infrastructure as other regions across the globe”.
Paul Gabla, ASN VP Sales & Marketing, is further commenting on ASN presence in the region: “ASN is thrilled to have been selected to build CSN-1 as it further demonstrates its partnership with Telconet as well as its footprint in Latam. CSN-1 will be an important new component of the regional communications infrastructure. ASN is committed to supporting the region’s growing need for high-performance, high-quality subsea cable connectivity, both through our system construction capability and our marine maintenance services based out of Curaçao”.
Telconet has relied upon DRG Undersea Consulting, a leading consulting firm in the subsea cable industry, to reach this CSN-1 milestone and to support the implementation of CSN-1. Elaine Stafford, an industry recognized face and Managing Partner at DRG, shared her perspective: “Telconet and DRG first worked together during the construction of PCCS; it is our privilege to support Telconet once again in this important new subsea cable project. Successful subsea projects rely on an experienced and dedicated team, and we’re extraordinarily pleased to be working again with both Telconet and ASN to realize this important, new cable”.
About Telconet
CSN-1 is developed by Telconet, an Ecuadorian Telco operator. With almost 3 decades of operations, Telconet provides Telecommunication and Digital services to the Corporative, Business and Retail segments; with more than 90,000 kms of deployed and operative fiber optic network; more than 3500 MPLS POP’s; Data Centers and AI infrastructure. Telconet has previously participated in submarine cable consortiums, the latest one is the PCCS
About Alcatel Submarine Networks
Alcatel Submarine Networks, part of Nokia, leads the industry in terms of transmission capacity and installed base with more than 650,000 km of optical submarine systems deployed worldwide, enough to circumnavigate the globe 15 times.
From traditional telecom applications to content and over-the-top service provider infrastructures, as well as to offshore oil and gas applications, ASN provides all elements of turnkey global undersea transmission systems, tailored to individual customer’s needs.
An extensive services portfolio completes its comprehensive offering for the submarine business, including project management, installation, and commissioning, along with marine and maintenance operations performed by ASN’s wholly owned fleet of cable ships.
About DRG
DRG assisted Telconet in the planning and procurement process of CSN-1 and is leading Telconet’s project management of CSN-1 construction.
DRG Undersea Consulting (DRG) is an advisory firm specializing in guiding clients through their investment in and development of international telecom infrastructure, with an emphasis on undersea fiber optic networks. Our team, established in 1999, has supported clients who are planning, procuring, and managing the construction of new undersea networks in every region of the world. DRG is currently active with projects worldwide, including both transoceanic cables connecting continents across the world’s largest oceans and regional cables across smaller seas. DRG also continues to counsel investors across the globe by performing vital technical, commercial and market due diligence on their prospective international undersea investments and acquisitions.
