In the second half of 2007, Heavy Reading began working with the MEF to develop the Global Ethernet Services Directory, with the goal of providing a one-stop shop for enterprises and operators to learn about retail and wholesale Ethernet services available around the world. I am pleased to announce that the MEF has now completed the first phase of this groundbreaking project.

Phase 1 provides an overview of the Ethernet connectivity services and Ethernet-based applications offered by a large number of MEF service provider members based in North America, Europe, and Asia. This includes: AboveNet Inc. (NYSE: ABVT), AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T), Charter Communications Inc. , Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE: CBB), Cox Communications Inc. , Demand Broadband , Level 3 Communications Inc. (NYSE: LVLT), Orange Business Services , Qwest Communications International Inc. (NYSE: Q), Reliance Communications Ltd. , Singapore Telecommunications Ltd. (SingTel) (OTC: SGTJY), Sprint Corp. (NYSE: S), Suddenlink Communications , T-Systems International GmbH , Tata Communications Ltd. , and Verizon Enterprise Solutions .

Visitors to the MEF site will be able to learn what types of Ethernet Private Line (EPL), Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL), Ethernet Private LAN (EPLAN), and Ethernet Virtual Private LAN (EVPLAN) services are available and planned within metro areas, between metro sites within a country and between metro sites in different countries. Right now, for example, you can click on a country or U.S. state and find out which operators offer connectivity services there, in what particular metro markets specific named services are available, and who to contact at the operator if you want to learn more service details.

The service providers participating in the MEF project have been good sports in advising the MEF and cooperating in sharing data for the project because they share a common goal of accelerating Ethernet service adoption and making it easier for their customers to learn about their service reach and capabilities.

Over time, more details regarding Ethernet service data rates, performance metrics, quality-of-service and class-of-service levels, service-level agreements, and other information will be made available through the Web interface on the MEF Website. The MEF also anticipates adding more service providers and more detailed location data.

— Stan Hubbard, Senior Analyst, Heavy Reading