UUNet Inc, the internet service provider arm of MCI Worldcom Inc, will this summer upgrade its European backbone network to STM-16 speeds (around 2.5Gbps). The ISP will deploy MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) technology on the links as part of a plan to eventually have its network up to STM-64 (10Gbps).
The STM-16 upgrade, to the equivalent of OC-48c speeds, will take effect on UUNet’s main connection points in London, Frankfurt and Amsterdam before the end of September, with plans to add Paris and Brussels before the end of the year. Also in the fourth quarter, the ISP’s OC-12 transatlantic links will be upgraded to OC-48 levels. The firm says the improvements represent a 16-fold capacity increase on each pipe.
