Apr, 2010 : Equinix Launches Carrier Ethernet Exchange

📅 April 12, 2010 - Company's new service provides a multi-carrier environment for the exchange of data traffic between providers of Ethernet services.

Equinix, Inc., a provider of global data center services, today launched the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange, a global service that provides a multi-carrier environment for the exchange of data traffic between providers of Ethernet services. The company says that originally announced in October 2009 as a service development program, the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange is the first service of its kind to be successfully deployed globally, enabling carriers to meet the worldwide demand for Ethernet services, an expanding industry that is expected to reach $40 billion by 2014.

It further states that the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange development program included as participants 24 of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, including AboveNet, BroadbandONE, Easynet Global Services, euNetworks, Exponential-e, Hibernia Atlantic, RCN Metro Optical Networks, Internet Solutions, KPN International, Level 3 Communications, PacketExchange, PCCW Global, Reliance Globalcom, SSE Telecoms, TeraGate AG, Tinet and Virgin Media Business, among others. The company avers that the service is rolling out to five metros including the Los Angeles, New York, Silicon Valley, Chicago and London metro regions, and is expected to expand to 14 other metro regions throughout the next year.

"Equinix's global platform is a welcome addition to support our internationally recognized leadership position and greatly extends the accessibility of our Ethernet service portfolio," said Managing Director Carolien Nijhuis, KPN International. "The ability to distribute and support multi-regional Ethernet connections on one central platform will attract more customers who are able to benefit from our high quality services at a more competitive price level."

"This launch is an important milestone for Equinix and for the Ethernet services industry in general," said Jarrett Appleby, CMO, Equinix. "While the Ethernet market has been growing at a breakneck pace, the full potential has yet to be realized because carriers have been limited to the geographic areas where their networks are deployed. Our offering immediately removes that fundamental barrier, enabling carriers to deliver consistent, scalable Ethernet services across multiple borders around the world simultaneously."

In addition to the official launch of the service, this announcement marks the closing of Equinix's comprehensive and successful development program. In total, Equinix conducted more than 200 unique tests across seven different regions with 24 program participants, demonstrating the efficacy of the testing program and the long-term commercial viability of the service.

Appleby continues, "The development program for the Equinix Ethernet Exchange was comprehensive, meticulous and highly successful. It speaks volumes that our collaborative development approach netted as many world-class participants prior to launch, underscoring the demand for this service and the tremendous value it will deliver to the global Ethernet community."

"As well as having the potential to simplify the technical complexities in delivering Ethernet services, the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange also creates a massive marketplace of potential partners," said Mark Heraghty, managing director, Virgin Media Business. "Not only will that enable us to better support our customers' needs, but it also means that we have the flexibility and scalability needed to add or expand our overall service offerings."