XO Communications (News - Alert) is announcing major enhancements to its Ethernet infrastructure, offering businesses and wholesale customers new speed options and more Ethernet service offerings.

 

Currently, XO is offering Ethernet services to 4 million commercial buildings in 75 metro areas in the United States through its nationwide fiber-optic network, expanded deployment of Ethernet-over-copper technology and fixed broadband wireless capabilities.

 

XO Communications says it’s deployed an enhanced Ethernet switching platform in major metros which provides reliable, service rich, next-generation infrastructure. This will help the company offer a broader range of Ethernet bandwidth options and services. It will also allow the provision of any-to-any multi-site Ethernet solutions with multiple classes of service which are on-demand, according to the company.

 

“The recent upgrades we have made to our platform illustrate our dedication to Ethernet and its progression as the preferred networking solution for many of our customers,” said Randy Nicklas, chief technology officer at XO Communications.

 

The company says it strives to meet the needs of customers who are increasingly relying on Ethernet to support mission-critical applications and data across their wide area networks.

 

The incremental bandwidth offered when customers create their Ethernet solution includes new speeds of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 200, 300, 400, or 500 Mbps at on-net fiber locations. XO says it offers speeds of 15 or 20 Mbps at places serviced by last mile copper where XO has deployed Ethernet over copper technology.

 

Customers in industries such as healthcare, education, government and finance have a wide range of data requirements for their bandwidth-intensive applications. In such cases, incremental bandwidth options suit these businesses as they need increased scalability for their Ethernet needs.

 

The Ethernet-over-copper technology helps XO extend its Ethernet services beyond the fiber network, enabling copper-fed locations to work with mid-band Ethernet services. XO has also increased the distance over which it can deliver Ethernet services using the last mile copper to business locations. The locations may be 11,000 feet from offices where XO has deployed Ethernet over copper technology.

 

XO’s extensive Inter-City and METRO Fiber Networks offer Ethernet services speeds from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps, to businesses and service providers. XO can use fixed broadband wireless technology to deliver Ethernet services directly to businesses at speeds ranging from 10Mbps to 155Mbps.

 

XO also says it plans new Ethernet services for the future. These enhancements will help the company offer Classes of Service with Ethernet and Ethernet Virtual Private LAN Service by next year. This will allow businesses to move multipoint to multipoint traffic for supporting both IP and non-IP network traffic which is flexible enough to control the routing and network performance.

 

“As we continue to strengthen our Ethernet infrastructure, we’re preparing to deliver Layer 2 technologies to our customers to meet their evolving business needs. We look forward to offering VPLS to provide our customers with another flexible, reliable and cost-effective wide area networking service offering,” Nicklas said.