FOSTER CITY, Calif. -- Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX), a provider of global data centre services, today announced AboveNet, Exponential-e, Hibernia Atlantic, Level 3, PCCW Global, Reliance Globalcom and Tinet, among others, as initial participants in the recently announced Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange platform, a development programme to define enhanced solutions for the exchange of data traffic between carriers providing Ethernet services.

The Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange development programme consists of a platform for multi-provider carrier Ethernet interconnection that meets Metro Ethernet Forum standards.

The programme is reviewing a variety of solutions including Ethernet Network to Network Interconnection (NNI) and additional services that leverage the density and breadth of networks operating within Equinix’s centres. The platform is available at Equinix International Business Exchange (IBX) data centres globally using Alcatel-Lucent’s service routing portfolio.

AboveNet

“Demand for AboveNet’s Ethernet services continues to grow,” said Philip Olivero, vice president of Engineering for AboveNet. “The current process for extending our Ethernet service offering outside of our service area requires the establishment of multiple, complex interconnection relationships with other carriers. A multi-carrier Ethernet exchange platform would simplify interconnection, reduce costs and speed delivery of Ethernet services to off-net customer locations.”

Level 3

“As a leading international provider of fiber-based communications services, Level 3 is helping our customers keep pace with the demands of an increasingly networked world. Our customers are turning to Ethernet to support applications like server virtualisation, cloud computing, and data centre consolidation,” said Russell Shriver, Level3’s vice president of Internet and Data Services. “Today, business is dispersed all over the world, and it’s technically challenging, time-consuming and costly for enterprises to pull together end-to-end Ethernet services. By working with Equinix, Level 3 will expand its ability to provide a seamless, high-performance Ethernet offering.”

Reliance Globalcom

“Ethernet is gaining greater acceptance as a transport and transit technology as more and more global enterprise customers and content service providers rely on its speed, cost and performance advantages,” said Dr. Kamran Sistanizadeh, chief technology officer, Reliance Globalcom. “Equinix is in a unique position to provide an exchange platform that will enable Reliance Globalcom to easily execute interconnection relationships with other Ethernet carriers outside of our current service area in order to capitalize on the new customer demands for regional, national and global Ethernet services.”

Equinix Inc. (Nasdaq: EQIX)

AboveNet Inc. (NYSE: ABVT)

Level 3 Communications Inc. (NYSE: LVLT)

Global Cloud Xchange