XO Extends its Ethernet Reach

XO Communications announced the deployment of a new and enhanced Ethernet switching platform in major metropolitan locations across its U.S. network. This new will enable XO to offer a broader range of Ethernet bandwidth options and services. In addition, this new platform will provide the pathway for XO to provide true any-to-any, multi-site Ethernet solutions along with multiple classes of service on an on-demand basis.


XO said it is currently capable of delivering Ethernet services to nearly four million commercial buildings in 75 major metropolitan markets across the United States utilizing its nationwide fiber network assets, expanded deployment of Ethernet over copper technology, and fixed broadband wireless capabilities.


XO Communications now offers a wider range of incremental bandwidth options. Customers can now obtain new speeds of 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 200, 300, 400, or 500 Mbps at on-net fiber locations, and speeds of 15 or 20 Mbps at locations served by last mile copper where XO has deployed Ethernet over copper technology. These speeds are currently available in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, San Jose, Seattle, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. XO expects to roll out the speed options to all of its markets across the country early next year.


XO's Ethernet over Copper has now been deployed in 75 metropolitan markets. XO has also increased the distance over which it can deliver Ethernet services via last mile copper. XO can now reach business locations that are up to 11,000 feet from central offices in which it has deployed Ethernet over copper technology. This expansion has increased XO's Ethernet over copper services footprint by 18 percent.


XO also said this upgrades set the stage for new Ethernet service offerings in the near future. These upgrades will provide XO Communications with the ability to offer Classes of Service (CoS) with Ethernet and Ethernet Virtual Private LAN Service (E-VPLS), which it expects to be able to offer customers in 2009. As a layer 2 networking service, E-VPLS will allow businesses to move multipoint to multipoint traffic to support both IP and non-IP network traffic while maintaining the flexibility to control the routing and increased network performance.http://www.xo.com