AT&T OPT-E-WAN; EPLS-MAN/WAN; GigaMAN, DecaMAN, OPT-E-MAN, Metro Ethernet Service Dedicated/Premium/Virtual
AT&T continues to expand domestic and international Ethernet availability directly and through partnerships. The carrier is closing in on a unified metro Ethernet service across its 22-state incumbent local service footprint, simplifying service. (6/24/2010)

Cox Communications Metro Ethernet
Cox Business' adoption of Ethernet-over-HFC lets its customers build enterprise networks across its HFC and optical infrastructure. The carrier participated in Ethernet NNI standardization, and is ready for VPLS with new platform deployments. (6/24/2010)

Level 3 Ethernet Private Line, EVPL, VPLS, MEA
Level 3 was a carrier Ethernet pioneer, and after historic acquisitions consolidated its offers into consistent packages, speeds and SLAs. The carrier is staffing up its local enterprise sales and support, to increasingly be a contract contender. (8/9/2010)

Optimum Lightpath E-Line, V-Line, E-LAN, VPRS
Optimum Lightpath is deploying new platforms that increase the carrier's optical wavelength capacity and will enable a new set of Ethernet service features. Inside its regional footprint the carrier is strong on reach, price and service options. (6/24/2010)

Qwest Metro Optical Ethernet, Ethernet Private Line, Private Port P2P
Qwest is strongest in metro Ethernet inside its 14-state footprint and national Ethernet transport. It compensates for a weaker national metro presence through third-party access agreements, but its VPLS offer remains relegated to a low profile. (6/24/2010)

Time Warner Cable Business Class Metro Ethernet Solutions
Time Warner Cable Business Class had not made any sweeping changes to its Ethernet services portfolio to date in 2010. TWCBC is not far behind Cox Business in terms of ports in service, and is looking toward wireless backhaul opportunities. (7/30/2010)

tw telecom Native LAN Portfolio; Integrated LAN
tw telecom has built up a competitive Ethernet presence thanks to its early focus on metro services and national VPLS. The carrier has now added MEF certification, and is negotiating Ethernet NNIs to extend its access options even further. (6/24/2010)

Verizon Business ELAN, EPL, EVPL, VPLS
Verizon offers one of the most complete Ethernet portfolios of any major carrier. In addition to global deployments of Ethernet gear for switching and aggregation, Verizon has established an expansive set of Ethernet NNI partnerships worldwide. (6/29/2010)

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Report Contents

• Current Perspective Rating
• Product Strengths & Weaknesses
• Product Buying Criteria
• Product Metrics

Top

Ethernet Services - U.S. Buying Criteria

• Availability
  • Local, national and international metro area availability and access.
• E-Line Service
  • Point-to-point Ethernet service key features.
• E-LAN Services
  • Switched Ethernet service features.
• VPLS
  • Virtual private LAN services.
• Reliability
  • Redundancy, restorability and SLAs.
• Pricing
  • Price, discounts, terms.
• Platform
  • Network platform, including MSPPs, switches, routers and protocols and management.

Ethernet Services - U.S. Product Metrics

• Ethernet Services
  • Application
• In-Region Metro Services
  • Private Line (E-Line)
    
  • DIA
    
  • Switched (E-LAN)
    
  • Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS)
    
  • Geographic Availability
    
  • Number of Ethernet Nodes
    
  • Platform
    
  • Transport Options
    
  • Customer Access Options
    
  • Topologies
• U.S. National Services
• Private Line (E-Line)
  
• DIA
  
• Switched (E-LAN)
  
• Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS)
  
• Geographic Availability - National
  
• Geographic Availability - International
  
• Number of Ethernet Nodes
  
• Platform
  
• Transport Options
  
• Access Options
  
• Topologies
• E-Line Service Features
• Port Interface Rates
  
• UNI / E-VC Bandwidth Increments
  
• VLAN Support
  
• QoS / CoS
  
• QoS Support
  
• Service InterworkingRedundancy/Restorability
  
• Customer Management Platform
  
• Management Features
  
• Managed Service Option
• E-LAN Service Features
• Port Interface Rates
  
• UNI / E-VC Bandwidth Increments
  
• VPLS Features
  
• VLAN Support
  
• Topology
  
• Scalability
  
• QoS/CoS
  
• QoS Support
  
• Service Interworking
  
• Redundancy/Restorability
  
• Customer Management Platform
  
• Management Features
  
• Managed Service Option
• SLAs
• On-Time Provisioning
  
• Availability – Network/Port
  
• Availability – Customer Site
  
• TTR/MTTR
  
• Packet Loss/Data Delivery
  
• Latency
  
• Jitter
• In-Region Metro Area Pricing
• Access Component
  
• Distance Component – Metro
  
• Port Charge
  
• Bandwidth/ E-VC Charges
  
• DIA
  
• Flat-rate/Usage-based
  
• Term/Volume Discount
• U.S. National Pricing
• Access Pricing
  
• Distance Component – Long Haul
  
• Ethernet Port Charge
  
• Bandwidth/ VC Charges
  
• DIA
  
• Flat-rate/Usage-based
  
• Standard National Rates
  
• Term/Discount