XO expands Ethernet footprint

XO Communications announced today that it has expanded the reach of its Ethernet services to include more than 500,000 businesses in 75 major metropolitan markets.

The competitive local exchange carrier based in Herndon, Va., says the Ethernet expansion will improve its ability to deliver dedicated Internet access, converged IP and MPLS-based IP-VPN services, all of which can use Ethernet for network access. Currently, XO offers Ethernet services at speeds from 10M to 10Gbps through an 18,000-route-mile fiber-optic network.

XO also says it has been working to expand the reach of Ethernet beyond the 15% of U.S. businesses that have access to fiber now. One of the company's main initiatives has been to agressively develop Ethernet-over-copper technology, which offers businesses at copper-based locations access to midband Ethernet at speeds from 10M to 88Mbps. Additionally, XO uses fixed broadband wireless technology in 36 major metropolitan areas to deliver Ethernet services that run at speeds from 10M to 155Mbps.

XO has been offering business services since 2006, when it formed its XO Business Services and XO Carrier Services branches. At the time, XO offered 37 cities fiber-based Ethernet at speeds of 10Gbps or more. Globally, 40Gbps and 100Gbps Ethernet services are projected to be a $4.3-billion market by 2016, with demand for faster Ethernet speeds coming from large data and switching centers.