MCI Unveils Converged Packet Access Strategy

MCI outlined a Converged Packet Access (CPA) strategy for its business customers that leverages Ethernet and MPLS. The architecture aims to consolidate all services - Frame Relay, Private IP, IP VPN, Ethernet, Private Line, and voice - onto a single, customer Ethernet interface (10bT, 100bT and Gig E). Once an initial physical connection is established, MCI customers can logically provision capacity and services as needed without requiring physical changes to the network. MPLS tunneling technology is utilized to create logical channels that securely separate customer's services.



MCI's CPA architecture has four key components: (1) an Ethernet traffic aggregator; (2) a new Layer 2 and TDM grooming infrastructure; (3) an optical add-drop multiplexer; and (4) a packet-enabled service edge. This equipment allows MCI to aggregate traffic originating from one large business customer or many small business customers in a multi-tenant business building across a single, secure network access circuit. MCI is using an Ethernet over SONET infrastructure.



The initial services supported by MCI's CPA will include U.S. Private Line Ethernet Services, enhanced Metro Private Line Ethernet Service and expanded coverage of MCI's Internet Dedicated Ethernet Service. The U.S. Private Line service allows customers to connect their business locations using Ethernet on a nationwide basis. MCI is promising carrier-grade service reliability backed by 100% availability and a two-hour Mean Time To Repair (MTTR) service level agreement (SLA) for On-net services.



MCI's Metro Private Line Ethernet Service provides a dedicated, point-to-point service between locations within the same LATA through a standard Ethernet interface. It too is supported by a 100% network availability SLA for On-net services. Metro Private Line Ethernet will be available in additional speeds of 10 Mbps, 40 Mbps, 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps. This fall, MCI will add Fibre Channel, FICON and ESCON Storage capabilities to this offering.



MCI's Internet Dedicated Ethernet Service, which will be expanded from five to 25 markets in September, delivers access to the Internet at rates ranging from 1 Mbps to 600 Mbps with 1 Gbps available upon request. The service will also be offered with MCI's fully managed IP VPN Dedicated offering. http://www.mci.com