MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) has launched the ‘Services Interconnect Program‘, which eyes to give smaller operators access to certification at a low cost. Specifically, the program aims to give wholesale Carrier Ethernet Operators the opportunity to grow their businesses by helping them quickly offer standards-compliant Carrier Ethernet services for their customers.
The new program was designed for Carrier Ethernet Operators with revenues of less than $50 million per year. It allows these operators to participate in MEF’s E-Access and future E-Transit service certification programs without being required to become MEF members. It will also allow them access to MEF marketing platforms and training tools designed to enable them to increase their revenues in the Carrier Ethernet wholesale services market.
The new program complements the MEF Ethernet Interconnect Points (EIP) project, which responds to the need of carriers to provide end-to-end services over network segments they do not own or control.
By offering MEF-certified E-Access and future E-Transit services, Carrier Ethernet Operators enable their Carrier Ethernet Service Provider customers to identify routes to create end-to-end end CE 2.0 services (E-Line, E-LAN or E-Tree) in the geography supported by the Carrier Ethernet Operator. CE 2.0 certification also differentiates operators from those offering non-standards compliant Ethernet services.