XO pushes Ethernet services

XO Communications is trying to sell customers on the idea that it can get carrier Ethernet services to them in a timely fashion by issuing a guarantee.

Last week, the company introduced a program called “Ethernet Everywhere” that guarantees customers can get Ethernet services “within the agreed upon timeframe to the requested location.” This offer is only good within XO’s coverage area, within its 42 Ethernet-enabled local access and transport areas. If XO can’t deliver the service, the customer will get a credit equal to one month of Ethernet service.

It’s good that XO is offering this service-level agreement. But shouldn’t this kind of thing be the norm? Apparently it isn’t. Ernie Ortega, president of XO Carrier Services, said in a statement that “It’s well understood that the largest problem facing the industry with Ethernet is its lack of widespread availability.”

To continue reading, register here and become an Insider. You'll get free access to premium content from CIO, Computerworld, CSO, InfoWorld, and Network World. See more Insider content or sign in.

XO Communications is trying to sell customers on the idea that it can get carrier Ethernet services to them in a timely fashion by issuing a guarantee.

Last week, the company introduced a program called “Ethernet Everywhere” that guarantees customers can get Ethernet services “within the agreed upon timeframe to the requested location.” This offer is only good within XO’s coverage area, within its 42 Ethernet-enabled local access and transport areas. If XO can’t deliver the service, the customer will get a credit equal to one month of Ethernet service.

It’s good that XO is offering this service-level agreement. But shouldn’t this kind of thing be the norm? Apparently it isn’t. Ernie Ortega, president of XO Carrier Services, said in a statement that “It’s well understood that the largest problem facing the industry with Ethernet is its lack of widespread availability.”

There are limits to the guarantee. XO’s Ethernet access options range from 3Mbps to 10Gbps, but the guarantee only covers speeds up to 10Mbps. Plus, the offer ends at the end of 2009. And as I mentioned, it may be called “Ethernet Everywhere,” but “everywhere” is defined as within one of XO’s 42 LATAs.

In the past, XO has tried to drum up business through other programs, such as its “10 Gigs in 10 Days,” a guarantee that promised wholesale customers could get up to 10Gbps installed within 10 business days.

XO says it has invested more than $450 million in its nationwide infrastructure over the last two years, and its footprint now covers almost half of all businesses in the country. Last year, XO demonstrated 100 Gigabit Ethernet service.

Read more about lans & wans in Network World's LANs & WANs section.