Nov. 3, 2009 (Business Wire) -- The Light Reading Ethernet Expo Americas 2009 Conference – Equinix, Inc. (Nasdaq:EQIX), a provider of global data center 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 program to define enhanced solutions for the exchange of data traffic between carriers providing Ethernet services.

The Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange development program consists of a platform for multi-provider carrier Ethernet interconnection that meets Metro Ethernet Forum standards. The program 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 centers. The platform is available at Equinix International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) data centers globally using Alcatel-Lucent’s service routing portfolio.

“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.”

“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 virtualization, cloud computing, and data center 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.”

“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.