Ethernet Interconnect Points – Paving the Way to Third Network Services

Carrier Ethernet is the digital fuel for the global digital economy and the foundation upon which to build new dynamic, assured, and orchestrated services for the hyper-connected world. But a lack of standardization for interconnecting Ethernet service providers and operators is hindering market growth and efficiency. Most Ethernet interconnects today are non-standard, custom-built Network-to-Network Interconnections (NNIs), which impedes market scalability. More than a dozen MEF Member service providers and technology suppliers have participated in the MEF Ethernet Interconnect Points (EIP) project to leverage existing MEF standards for CE interconnection. Phase 1 of the EIP project involved the creation of an Ethernet Interconnect Point Implementation Guideline that recommends how to effectively use standardized Ethernet Network-to-Network Interfaces (ENNIs). This initial guideline focuses on the most basic Ethernet E-Access configuration possible, and new guidelines will advance in complexity over time. The guidelines will help the industry rapidly scale and reduce complexity. This webinar will explore where the market is heading, technical expectations, operational obstacles that may be encountered, and the need for operators to effectively manage the transition as the market moves to standardization. Service providers who buy wholesale Ethernet services from operators and interconnect their networks to create multi-network end-to-end retail CE services should attend this webinar to be better informed to make decisions on their journey towards leveraging standardized interconnections.