Carrier boasts class-of-service variety and access options for IP offering
XO Communications this week launched a network-based Layer 3 MPLS IP VPN service for enterprises looking to connect offices, customers and partners, and converge voice, video and data applications over a single IP infrastructure.
The service is available in 75 metropolitan markets across the United States and supports a range of access options – from T-1 through OC-X and Ethernet – as well as four classes of service. XO is offering CoS at a flat rate, company officials say, meaning customers can have any class of service utilize up to the full available bandwidth without incurring additional charges.
The four CoS offerings are:
* Real Time, for applications that are sensitive to latency and jitter, such as VoIP
* Critical, for applications that can withstand higher latency and jitter, but still need guarantees on both delay and jitter, such as video
* Priority, for applications which need to take priority, but are not susceptible to variations in latency or jitter, such as database applications
* Standard, for applications which can withstand moderate to high variations in latency or jitter, such as e-mail and Web browsing
XO already offers Layer 2 site-to-site frame relay and Ethernet VPN services. And though XO is late to the MPLS VPN party – carriers such as AT&T and Verizon have been offering MPLS-based VPNs for several years – the competitive local exchange carrier believes it has a more updated and unique feature set, such as flat-rate CoS, and support for Ethernet-over-copper and serial line access options.
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“In some ways it’s to our advantage” to just now be coming out with an MPLS VPN offering, says Dan Toomey, XO product manager for IP VPN. “We have a more current day offering and more unique solution than some others out there for five years.”
Pricing for the Layer 3 MPLS VPN service ranges from $650 to $800 per month for T-1 access.
In June, XO plans to integrate its MPLS IP VPN service with its business-class VoIP service, XOptions Flex, to give enterprises an end-to-end converged voice and data service. XO said it will also expand its VoIP services portfolio later this year to support larger businesses and enterprises.
Separately, XO announced this week a campaign to undercut the price of competitive service offerings for large enterprises. Under the 3 Guarantee Program, XO promises to beat any competing price for 2.5Gbps and 10Gbps wavelength services along select XO network routes.
XO says it will also provide a one month service credit for these wavelength services if it fails to meet the agreed-upon service delivery date, as well as a 90-day risk-free trial of its IP Transit service without commitment.
If the customer is not satisfied, the customer only pays for the services used under the trial, XO says.
