Telconet & ASN announce the start of
Carnival Submarine Network-1 (CSN-1) Construction
Paris - 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, 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”.