A major historical milestone for telecommunications infrastructure in Colombia was achieved on Sunday, October 26: Telconet’s CSN-1 submarine cable successfully touched down in Barranquilla. According to reports from BNamericas, this marks the first time in a decade that a new cable system has reached Colombian shores.

A Decade of Progress and Future Vision

This achievement underscores Telconet’s sustained commitment to the region. Francisco Villacreses, Telconet’s Commercial VP, highlighted the significance of the moment:

"Ten years have passed since the PCCS cable landed in Cartagena—a project in which Telconet was a key investor in 2015. With the CSN-1 landing in Barranquilla, we are not only reaffirming that vision but also strengthening Colombia’s position. Due to its strategic location, the country is a key player in regional connectivity, second only to Brazil. This investment projects Colombia as an essential driving force for the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its many applications."

The CSN-1 system features open-cable technology and includes dark fiber pairs that Telconet plans to commercialize in the Colombian market over the system’s 25-year useful life.

Expansion and Implementation Timeline

The CSN-1 deployment, managed by ASN using the vessel Ile de Sein, is progressing across all segments, including the connection to the Florida coast in the United States. The system is currently scheduled to be ready for service in the second half of 2026.

Furthermore, CSN-1 is soon expected to be joined by the TAM-1 submarine cable from Trans Americas Fiber System (TAFS), which is already 50% complete in its southern portion rollout.

Solid Financial Backing

The ambitious US$300 million capital expenditure for CSN-1 is supported by a robust financial structure. The Telconet Group recently closed the initial phase of an international syndicated credit facility: a US$50 million loan with a five-year term.

This funding not only secures the viability of CSN-1 but also fuels the expansion of Telconet's Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) and B2B solutions businesses in Ecuador.

The credit line is expandable up to US$120 million, offering Telconet access to additional resources from future international investors and Ecuadorian banks.

• Structuring and Management: ArtCap Strategies structured and managed the transaction, serving as sole lead arranger and administrative agent.

• Legal Support: The process received legal backing from several prestigious international and regional law firms, including Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP, Pérez Bustamante & Ponce, Arias, Aleman & Mora S.A., Veria Asesores, Alemán, Cordero, Galindo & Lee, and Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uria.