ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) today announced it will expand its scope to promote standards-based Ethernet in the First Mile technologies and encouraged the utilization and implementation of Ethernet in the First Mile based upon the IEEE standard. The MEF , with a mission to accelerate the adoption of Carrier Ethernet services and technologies, will assume these activities which, until recently, were the focus of the Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance (EFMA).

Companies actively participating in the IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet in the First Mile project formed the EFMA in 2001 to promote the new standard. The EFM standard is a new set of standards for Ethernet in public access networks over both optical and copper media originally formed the EFMA and was completed on July 27, 2004.

Adding Ethernet in the first mile was a natural fit for the MEF given its role of promoting Ethernet services and infrastructure technologies. Many of the EFMA members including Extreme Networks, Cisco Systems and Hatteras Networks are already MEF members, and EFMA member companies, such as Ericsson Communications, will join the MEF to continue their market development of Ethernet in the First Mile as an integral part of the MEF.

“The job of promoting Ethernet in the public network and developing the market for Ethernet access technologies has only just begun – on going promotion of this work is best accomplished by the MEF given its much broader scope of activities.” Commented Peter Linder, EFMA Board Member and Technical Director, Wireline Business Unit Systems, Ericsson AB.

Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF)