FREMONT, Calif. and NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. – The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) today announced the establishment of a formal, cooperative liaison relationship with the MPLS Forum to facilitate the development of MPLS and metro Ethernet technology and markets.

Since its inception, the MEF has expressed the intent to work with other technical forums to facilitate early interoperability and implementation agreements among vendors, service providers and end customers. “This relationship, with one of the most innovative new telecommunications forums, is another exciting indication that metro Ethernet is gaining importance and acceptance world-wide,” said Nan Chen, President of the MEF.

“We are pleased to create this relationship with the increasingly influential MEF. Cooperation between our Forums will help facilitate MPLS-based solutions for optical Ethernet networks, and will further the MPLS Forum’s goal of accelerating the adoption of Multi Protocol Label Switching and its associated technologies.” said Andrew G. Malis, Chairman and President of the MPLS Forum.

This agreement includes the ability for designated representatives from each Forum to attend the other Forum’s meetings, and for the two Forums to share work in progress in order to cooperatively produce industry agreements and specifications.

MPLS ForumMetro Ethernet Forum