Carrier Ethernet on a Roll

CEN Feature (May 3 2010) Business Ethernet

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   Lately it seems that not a week goes by without at least one service provider announcing a major Carrier Ethernet network or service expansion. Since the middle of March, we’ve heard from Covad Communications, CenturyLink and Level 3 Communications.

   CenturyLink’s announcement involved a win to build a backhaul network based on Ethernet private line for Verizon Wireless in Las Vegas to support that carrier’s 4G high-speed mobile wireless service. Like many incumbent local carriers, CenturyLink is aggressively pursuing the wireless backhaul opportunity, which has been exploding as a result of increased wireless data usage—and Carrier Ethernet is the primary underlying transport technology for these new carrier initiatives. Companies like CenturyLink can share in wireless growth opportunities by providing cell site connectivity, enabling the wireless carriers to focus on the wireless infrastructure.

   Level 3’s expansion of its Carrier Ethernet network also will help support wireless backhaul. In addition it will be a platform for VPLS and IP-based VPNs as well as native Ethernet services and Ethernet private lines. The company quadrupled the number of switches in its network, adding access points in Tier 2 markets such as Boston, Nashville and Denver, with the goal of providing a consistent Ethernet service portfolio in all markets and eliminating the need to rely on other carriers in the Tier 2 markets.

   Covad, which got its start as a provider of digital subscriber line services, is reinventing itself as a managed service local exchange carrier (MSLEC), in part through a planned merger with managed IP communications provider MegaPath and in part through aggressive pursuit of new Ethernet opportunities. Covad announced in mid-March that it would soon launch Ethernet services with Quality of Service and Class of Service to support applications such as voice over IP, video gaming, VPNs and videoconferencing. Like Level 3, the company is targeting nationwide availability—and its service will be even more granular. Covad plans to deliver service at speeds between 1.5 and 35 Mbps out of more than 4000 central offices.

   In the coming months, we’ll be exploring more opportunities for service providers in Carrier Ethernet, as well as technology issues, at this site.

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