This document summarizes a presentation on Ethernet services given in 2009. It discusses trends in Ethernet market penetration globally, controversies around Ethernet vs. IP technologies, how carriers are expanding Ethernet access through fiber, bonded copper, and E-NNIs. Key vertical markets and applications driving adoption are described. Factors for evaluating successful Ethernet service provider portfolios are outlined. Leaders in Ethernet services in the US, Europe, and Asia-Pacific are identified based on network reach and service breadth. Future directions for carriers are also summarized.
Global Market Drivers & Winning Portfolios for Ethernet Services
1. Ethernet Services: Global Market Drivers & Winning Portfolios David Hold, Joel Stradling & Siow Meng Soh June 24 & 25, 2009 To listen to a replay of this presentation, go to: http://www.currentanlysis.com/t/2009/ethernet/ethernetserv0609.htm
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5. Broad Trends by Ethernet Services Types Positive Immature Mature EPL-Metro Metro Ethernet (All types) Cross-border VPLS Ethernet Access National VPLS Negative Momentum Maturity Neutral EVPL ETREE Transparent LAN Services (TLS) EPL-LH
Metro Ethernet (including all types of Ethernet services) still reigns supreme over long haul (inter-city and international) services. Ethernet Access, which can include access to the Internet or to a cloud based VPN service such as Private IP or VPLS, ranks among the fastest growing of Carrier Ethernet services as customers migrate from TDM to Ethernet. There have been numerous rollouts of Ethernet VPLS by national carriers since about 2003, although the pace of deployment has really picked up in the past year. Cross-boarder E-VPLS services are the newest area of growth for Layer 2 VPN services Ethernet Virtual Private Line tends to be consistently popular for migrating legacy customers due to its topological similarity to Frame Relay and ATM. E-TREE is just beginning to emerge as an alternative to EVPL for point- to-multipoint and broadcast applications. Ethernet Private Line is seeing continued uptake in both Metro and Long Haul, but the long haul market tends to lag developments in the metro market by about 6-12 months. Traditional Switched Ethernet, also known as Transparent LAN Service (TLS), is the only area seeing decline as carriers migrate multipoint services to newer MPLS-based architectures such as VPLS. TLS was often deployed on ATM or enterprise-grade Ethernet switches since the 1990s that are approaching or past obsolescence.
* These projections were made in 2008 before the economic crises in Q4 2008. Growth was apparently on track until Q3 of 2008, at which point most carriers experienced slowing sales, although Ethernet appears to have been less affected, with growth rates slowing but not declining in absolute terms.
September 25, 2008 – Exponential-e launches ‘Power-X’ targeting financial clients requiring low-latency L2 WAN services and compliance with MiFID. The service is currently available between 4 new London stock exchanges, and the carrier intends to extend to 31 global exchanges moving forward. Power-X offers a 100 Mbps, or above, connection with each data feed presented to the client as a single secure VLAN plus QoS characteristics for traffic prioritization.
September 25, 2008 – Exponential-e launches ‘Power-X’ targeting financial clients requiring low-latency L2 WAN services and compliance with MiFID. The service is currently available between 4 new London stock exchanges, and the carrier intends to extend to 31 global exchanges moving forward. Power-X offers a 100 Mbps, or above, connection with each data feed presented to the client as a single secure VLAN plus QoS characteristics for traffic prioritization.
U.S. AT&T & Verizon have ILEC regional and IXC national/int’l services; Verizon offers full portfolio of metro, national EPL, EVPL, ELAN, VPLS; Verizon CPA provides consistent Ethernet access across markets; AT&T offers EPL, ELAN and VPLS metro, regional and national; Verizon launched VPLS in 2006, VPWS in 2007; Int’l VPLS in 2009; AT&T launched national and international VPLS in 2008; AT&T launched Ethernet over bonded copper, Verizon supports EoPDH; Cox & tw: Extensive regional fiber and HFC networks, but lack national networks; Rolling out Ethernet over HFC at 2 – 5 Mbps; tw: Nearly 10,000 buildings on tw fiber in 75 markets; Supports EoDS1/DS3; VPLS since 2003 EU COLT pioneer, 32 MAN/13 country footprint, unmatched EoCu capabilities, experienced E-NNI negotiator; KPN is aggressive early-mover with VPLS in 22 countries; Orange Business Services – IEL is a solid product backed by classical operational strength; Verizon Business aggressive CPA rollout and solid EPL in Europe; BT has the global element and proven applications-specific expertise (e.g., Radianz for financial trading) but needs to bring-to-market ‘Global Etherflow’; Other SPs: Interoute, Global Crossing, Cable & Wireless, Tata Comms, and Tinet all have unique strengths in various sweet-spots A-PAC SingTel & Tata leading with good regional coverage and broad range SingTel: E-Line (dedicated point-to-point), E-VPN (any-to-any VPLS) and metro Ethernet in Singapore Tata: different features on 3 platforms - Priority Ethernet (CoS) and Dedicated Ethernet (any-to-any, 10GigE) and Priority Stretch (usage-based billing) Global carriers strengthening APAC capabilities: Ethernet access in most countries within the region but mostly in major cities; work with local partners; AT&T launched VPLS in 2008 starting with four cities; Orange Business Services offers its International Ethernet Link in six markets; Verizon Business offers EVPL in six markets; PoPs in major markets such as Japan, Australia, Singapore and Hong Kong Other relevant players: Telstra, NTT Com, Reliance, PCCW Global and HGC also have competitive Ethernet offerings – some have deployed VPLS