The Metro Ethernet Forum is launching a new Ethernet Interconnect Points initiative that aims to define requirements for Carrier Ethernet services between operators, including location, facilities, ENNI, wholesale service alignment and business process alignment.
The Ethernet Interconnect Points Initiative was formed earlier this year by leading US telcos including AT&T, Frontier, Verizon and Windstream. Having identified the key challenges, the initiative is in the process of being formalized into a MEF project, and it is expected that there will be broad participation from many of the 130+ service provider members of the MEF in this activity. The project is expected to publish the EIP Phase 1 Implementation Guideline in 2015.
“This industry effort to standardize local Ethernet Meet Point interconnections among carriers is a big step towards providing a network infrastructure capable of supporting an all IP environment by 2020,” said Mike Lesher, Assistant Vice President, Product Marketing Management, AT&T Mobile & Business Solutions. “Standardization will facilitate the deployment of Carrier Ethernet coverage to all businesses, no matter their network provider. AT&T is proud to be one of the leaders of this important MEF project.”
”Consensus among Carrier Ethernet providers is important for the successful definition of standardized Ethernet Meet Points,” said Matthew Duckworth, director of Ethernet product marketing, Verizon Global Wholesale and a co-initiator of the MEF project. “Verizon supports MEF’s efforts to create the framework that will enable the industry to achieve consensus and help accelerate the transition from TDM to IP-based networks.”
“The work of this MEF-facilitated initiative has already clarified some very important technical and process-related aspects of interconnecting to provide universal coverage across multiple franchises”, said Todd Wells, SVP of Revenue Strategy for Frontier Communications. “This improved understanding will undoubtedly accelerate availability of faster Ethernet-based services to US subscribers.”
“Standardization of Ethernet meet points is critical to driving greater adoption of Carrier Ethernet in the marketplace. Windstream is dedicated to helping the MEF on this important industry initiative,” said Randy Nicklas, executive vice president of engineering and chief technology officer for Windstream.
As part of the ongoing marketing of its work, the EIP Initiative will be introduced at the Verizon Partner Conference at GEN14 on Monday November 17th, 2014 in Washington DC.
