National represents the third stage of development Ethernet services from Telewest Business, which represents about 25% of overall group revenue, according to its commercial director Meyrick Vevers. The division started out offering unmanaged point-to-point Ethernet connections that it calls LAN extension.
Then last year it introduced Switched Ethernet technology, enabling a managed service for the metro area for multi-site networks, with Layer 2 separation of subnets using VLANs, said Phil Lunn, director of data and internet for the division. Now it has launched National Ethernet services, leveraging the Switched Ethernet infrastructure and the group’s investments in a nationwide MPLS backbone. The ability to supply dedicated VLANs to each customer is made possible by equipment from Spokane Valley, Washington-based World Wide Packets
For launch in the coming months, Telewest is trialing a multimedia-over-IP service that, in addition to presence and other features, will enable VoIP and a nationwide managed voice offering, according to senior product manager Alison Adams. The company expects the service to compete with BT’s national Centrex offering.
Until now we’ve only been able to offer local Centrex because our network topology features difference switch types, because we grew through acquisition, said Vevers. BT on the other hand has the same PSTN switches throughout its network. With VoIP as part of its multimedia service, on the other hand, such a national managed offering will become possible.
