Sprint introduced a standard end-to-end MPLS VPN Service Level Agreements (SLAs) on its wholly owned global network. The new performance guarantees, which are provided at no additional charge to customers, extend SLA coverage and reporting beyond the backbone network and now include the local loop, covering service from customer router to customer router. The service level guarantees include an enhanced network availability SLA of up to 100%, standard end-to-end packet loss and jitter SLAs, and a standard end-to-end delay methodology applicable across Sprint’s entire global backbone.
Sprint is also simplifying and bundling its Managed Services portfolio to help customers migrate to new technologies. Options range from performance-reporting tools to complete management of the customer’s converged network, including managed migration from legacy data services to an MPLS VPN that can support emerging application needs.
As part of its ongoing global MPLS expansion, Sprint said it is working with regional and global service providers to augment its wholly owned capabilities through network-to-network interface (NNI) partnerships. This strategy integrates partner capabilities with Sprint’s to provide seamless connectivity and maintain traffic prioritization settings across the entire network.
The first such NNI agreement was struck with Rogers Communications in Canada through its business division, Rogers Business Solutions. Under the agreement, Rogers’ MPLS nodes will connect with the Sprint IP/MPLS backbone so customers can experience congestion-free connectivity with security, redundancy and quality of service. Later this year, Sprint will forge similar MPLS NNI partnerships throughout Europe, Asia and South America.
Currently, Sprint provides access to MPLS and IP-based services in 115 countries through a combination of Sprint-owned nodes and partner facilities. Through its MPLS NNI partners strategy, Sprint plans to expand coverage to 163 countries by the end of 2006.
http://www.sprint.com
