Silica Networks
Silica Networks is an Argentine wholesale fiber optic infrastructure operator and connectivity services provider, serving carriers, ISPs, and enterprise customers across six Latin American markets via a 16,500+ km DWDM-enabled network connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersPalo Alto, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Silica Networks does
Silica Networks is a wholesale fiber optic infrastructure operator and connectivity services provider serving carriers, ISPs, and enterprise customers across South America. The company is a wholly-owned operating subsidiary of Grupo Datco, an Argentine diversified technology and telecommunications conglomerate (legal entity Datco S.A., headquartered in Buenos Aires). Silica Networks operates a neutral fiber optic network spanning more than 16,500 km of DWDM-enabled infrastructure that links major cities in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, and provides unique transoceanic connectivity between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans via the Red Humboldt submarine and terrestrial cable system (2,900+ km) and complementary routes including Red Capricornio and Traza Litoral. The company also participates in the public-private Fibra Óptica Austral (FOA) project, deploying over 800 km of fiber across the Aysén and Los Lagos regions of southern Chile, and operates the Última Milla Los Lagos last-mile initiative connecting 70 localities.
The product portfolio is organized into three categories: Communications (Internet, Transport, CDN, DWDM, and Security), Infrastructure (high-capacity transport networks, FTTx networks, radio/shelter installation, network design and construction, and network maintenance), and Cloud & Datacenter (Cloud Connect multi-cloud interconnection and datacenter services). Underlying technical components include DWDM multiplexing across the backbone, neutral wholesale interconnect architecture, and dedicated submarine cable routes providing geographic redundancy against natural disasters.
Silica Networks generates revenue through three streams: subscription-based connectivity services (monthly recurring contracts with tiered speeds from 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps plus custom enterprise plans), professional services for FTTH network planning, execution, and maintenance, and FTTx equipment sales. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales via regional offices in Argentina and Chile with channel distribution through Grupo Datco and an 18-year partnership with Padtec covering six Latin American and Caribbean markets. In June 2024, Silica Networks acquired Internexa Argentina to extend its Argentine footprint, and in November 2024 publicly announced expanded regional connectivity to Chile, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay.
Silica Networks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Silica Networks
- Legal name
- Datco S.A.
- Website
- http://www.silicanetworks.com.ar
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- Silica Networks is an Argentine wholesale fiber optic infrastructure operator and connectivity services provider, serving carriers, ISPs, and enterprise customers across six Latin American markets via a 16,500+ km DWDM-enabled network connecting the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Silica Networks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Telecommunications Infrastructure Services
- NAICS
- Wired Telecommunications Carriers (517111), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications Carriers (except Satellite) (51711), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)
- SIC
- Computer Communications Equipment (3576), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wholesale Wavelength, Spectrum & Dark Fiber Providers (IRU/Leases) (HDAIALAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP) (HDAIAFAG), Neutral-Host Fiber & Shared Access Network Operators (HDAIACAJ), Subsea & Terrestrial Backhaul to Data Centers and Cloud On-Ramps (IX/DC Interconnect) (HDAIALAJ)
Keywords
Where Silica Networks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Palo Alto
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
Silica Networks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Connectivity and Transport Services (Internet, Transport, CDN, DWDM, Security): Recurring subscription-based connectivity services including internet access, fiber transport, CDN, DWDM transport, and managed security services sold to carriers, ISPs, and enterprise customers.
- Infrastructure Design, Construction, and Maintenance: Professional services for FTTH network planning, execution, maintenance and control; installation of radio equipment and shelters; network project and construction services.
- FTTx Equipment Supply: Sale of FTTx equipment as part of infrastructure service offerings.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Internet plans ranging from 25 Mbps to 1 Gbps, with custom enterprise solutions available |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels4 records
Silica Networks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Silica Networks operates a neutral fiber optic network and provides Internet, transport, CDN, DWDM, and security services to carriers, ISPs, and enterprises. It also plans, builds, equips, and maintains FTTx and high-capacity network infrastructure and provides private multicloud connectivity and data center services.
Product overview
Silica Networks is a telecommunications infrastructure and services company providing a comprehensive portfolio of connectivity solutions across South America. The company operates as part of Grupo Datco and offers a unified platform of services organized into three main categories: Communications (Internet, Transport, CDN, DWDM, and Security), Infrastructure (high-capacity transport networks, FTTx networks, radio/shelter installation, network design and construction, and maintenance), and Cloud & Datacenter (Cloud Connect and datacenters). The company's core differentiator is its extensive fiber optic network spanning over 16,500 km of DWDM-enabled fiber connecting major cities in Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and international submarine cables linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through strategic routes including Red Humboldt, Red Capricornio, and Fibra Óptica Austral. Additional offerings include enterprise-specific services for internet, data, and digital acceleration, plus last-mile connectivity projects for underserved regions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Internet Internet connectivity providing assured connectivity to and from any point on the planet, with guaranteed availability and low latency, for carriers, ISPs, and business customers.
- Transport Fiber optic transport for high-capacity data transmission across South America.
- CDN Content Delivery Network service for optimized online content distribution.
- DWDM Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing service for high-bandwidth optical transport across carriers' and enterprises' networks.
- Security Security services for protecting communications infrastructure.
- High-Capacity Transport Networks High-capacity transport network infrastructure services covering planning, execution, maintenance, and control.
- FTTx Networks Fiber-to-the-x network infrastructure for last-mile connectivity.
- Radio and Shelter Installation Installation of radio equipment and shelters for network infrastructure deployment.
- FTTx Equipment Provisioning of FTTx equipment for fiber network implementation.
- Network Design and Construction Design and construction services for fiber optic network infrastructure.
- Network Maintenance Ongoing maintenance services for network infrastructure support.
- Cloud Connect Private multicloud connectivity that interconnects enterprises with major cloud service providers.
- Datacenters Data center services for enterprise infrastructure hosting and connectivity.
- Data Services Enterprise data connectivity and transmission services.
Quantifiable outcome
- Red Humboldt: 2,900+ km of fiber connecting Atlantic and Pacific submarine cables for the Southern Cone
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Silica Networks
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Silica Networks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Silica Networks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Grupo Datco / PadteccorePadtec partnered with Grupo Datco (parent company of Silica Networks) to distribute Padtec's connectivity solutions — including DWDM equipment, routers, and switches — across six Latin American markets: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay. The collaboration builds on an existing 18-year relationship between Padtec and Silica Networks (Datco subsidiary) in optical transport, extending regional reach and distribution coverage for both companies.
- TelcosurminorSilica Networks and Telcosur developed fiber optic infrastructure for the Puerto de Punta Colorada, combining Silica's fiber network capabilities with Telcosur's port connectivity requirements.
- Fibra Óptica Austral (FOA)coreSilica Networks is a participant in the Fibra Óptica Austral (FOA) public-private project that deploys over 800 km of fiber optic connecting the Aysén and Los Lagos regions of Chile. This government-backed initiative addresses connectivity gaps in southern Chile.
- Internexa ArgentinaminorSilica Networks acquired Internexa Argentina, expanding its regional footprint. The acquisition was covered by over 25 media outlets, indicating significant regional market impact and expansion of the fiber network in Argentina.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Silica Networks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Internexa: Colombia-based wholesale fiber and connectivity provider operating a Latin American backbone serving carriers, ISPs, and enterprises. Directly comparable to Silica Networks as a neutral wholesale carrier with international subsea and terrestrial routes; Silica Networks acquired its Argentine subsidiary in 2024.
- Telxius: Telefónica's submarine cable and wholesale fiber infrastructure unit operating subsea systems and terrestrial backhaul across the Americas and Europe. Comparable to Silica Networks as a subsea + terrestrial wholesale operator in the Americas, but at significantly larger global scale.
- GlobeNet: Wholesale submarine cable and fiber operator connecting the Americas with subsea systems linking the US, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Venezuela. Closely comparable to Silica Networks' wholesale/subsea business model in the Southern Cone.
- Cogent Communications: Global Tier-1 IP backbone and wholesale fiber provider selling IP transit and wavelength services to carriers and enterprises. Comparable to Silica Networks' IP transport and wholesale carrier business, with significantly larger international footprint.
- Cirion Technologies: Pan-Latin American carrier-neutral data center, fiber, and connectivity provider serving enterprises and carriers. Directly comparable to Silica Networks in scope of wholesale fiber, colocation/datacenter, and multi-cloud connectivity across South America.
Broad incumbents
- Zayo Group: Large global fiber operator providing wholesale wavelength, dark fiber, and enterprise connectivity across North America and Western Europe. Comparable as a wholesale fiber business model, though Zayo operates at much larger scale and primarily outside Latin America.
- Telefónica (Movistar): Global telecom incumbent with significant fiber and subsea operations in Latin America through subsidiaries including Telxius. Comparable in scale of regional fiber footprint and as both a potential carrier customer and competing wholesale provider in the Southern Cone.
- América Móvil (Claro): Latin America's largest mobile and fixed-line telecom group operating across Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and other regional markets. Comparable to Silica Networks as a major LatAm carrier customer/competitor with extensive owned fiber infrastructure.
Others
- Padtec: Brazilian manufacturer of DWDM equipment, optical transport systems, and networking gear with an 18-year distribution partnership with Silica Networks/Datco. Relevant as a key technology supplier and channel partner rather than a direct competitor.
- Furukawa Electric LatAm: Latin American fiber optic cable manufacturer and FTTx equipment supplier operating across the region. Comparable to Silica Networks' FTTx infrastructure offering as an enabling supplier and ecosystem participant rather than a direct carrier competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Silica Networks social profiles
Digital presenceSilica Networks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Silica Networks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Silica Networks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Silica Networks M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Silica Networks
What does Silica Networks do?
Silica Networks operates a neutral fiber optic network and provides Internet, transport, CDN, DWDM, and security services to carriers, ISPs, and enterprises. It also plans, builds, equips, and maintains FTTx and high-capacity network infrastructure and provides private multicloud connectivity and data center services.
Is Silica Networks a public or private company?
Silica Networks is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Silica Networks founded?
Silica Networks was founded in 2000.
Where is Silica Networks based?
Silica Networks is headquartered in Palo Alto, United States, in the North America region.
How does Silica Networks make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Connectivity and Transport Services (Internet, Transport, CDN, DWDM, Security) is the primary driver. The others are infrastructure Design, Construction, and Maintenance and FTTx Equipment Supply.
Who are Silica Networks's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Internexa, Telxius, GlobeNet, Cogent Communications and Cirion Technologies. Broad incumbents are Zayo Group, Telefónica (Movistar) and América Móvil (Claro). Others are Padtec and Furukawa Electric LatAm.
Does Silica Networks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Silica Networks.
What industry is Silica Networks in?
Silica Networks's product category is Telecommunications Infrastructure Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAIALAI, Wholesale Wavelength, Spectrum & Dark Fiber Providers (IRU/Leases), with a secondary code of HDAIAFAG, Network Backbone & Core IP Transport (Long-Haul/Metro IP). Its NAICS code is 517111 and its SIC code is 3576.