Equinix and Alcatel-Lucent have developed a program for the exchange of data traffic between carriers providing Ethernet services.
The company said that Carrier Ethernet Exchange platform, will utilise Alcatel-Lucent’s service router portfolio to allow the delivery of Ethernet services globally, without going through the time consuming process of establishing multiple, separate interconnection agreements with other carriers.
According to Equinix the new program will focus on developing a platform for multi-provider carrier Ethernet interconnection. It will review a variety of services including Ethernet Network to Network Interconnection (NNI) and additional services that leverage the density and breadth of networks operating within Equinix’s centres. The service will be delivered at Equinix International Business Exchange (IBX) data centres globally using Alcatel-Lucent’s service routing portfolio.
Equinix said that the outcomes of the activities allow carriers to interconnect and pass data between Ethernet services; provide services to translate between different carrier Ethernet offerings to ensure transparent service and developing an interconnection technical specification; and develop a marketplace that allow carriers to partner on Ethernet services to extend global reach and depth.
Daniel Golding, vice president and research director for Tier1 Research, said: “The current model for carriers to expand their service offerings is to negotiate one-off Ethernet interconnection agreements with other carriers. This model presents a myriad of challenges, including the harmonisation of standards across multiple, different carriers, and incremental costs that impact carrier profitability.
“There is a strong need for a solution that can automate this process and enable carriers to seamlessly interconnect with multiple Ethernet carriers that have complimentary footprints through a centralised switching fabric.”
