Ethernet is quickly gaining popularity as the preferred protocol for metropolitan and wide area networks. It’s predicted that IP networks using standard Ethernet services will eventually replace the outdated Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The main obstacle to this is the fragmented nature of Ethernet service providers, comprising a mix of established and newer carriers with limited service areas. However, E-NNI technology is emerging as the solution to connect these disparate networks.

E-NNI, or Ethernet Network to Network Interface, enables different networks to connect and exchange traffic. This interconnection relies on each network advertising the other’s routes, allowing users on both networks to access resources seamlessly. The outcome is a larger, unified network with a service area encompassing both original networks.

A prime example of this Ethernet network interconnection is happening in Phoenix, Arizona. Integra Telecom and Saddleback Communications are merging their fiber networks using advanced Carrier Ethernet technology. This partnership allows them to share data effortlessly at high speeds.

Saddleback Communications, an established local carrier, serves the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community (SRPMIC) in Phoenix and its surrounding areas. Their robust network infrastructure consists of multiple fiber optic rings and two central offices. Unlike many commercial zones, all businesses along the Pima corridor within the SRPMIC have access to both fiber optic and copper connections.

Saddleback’s offerings include dedicated Ethernet internet, Ethernet transport services, and private lines. Their BusinessLAN Ethernet Transport provides seamless business connections through native Ethernet, with speeds ranging from 5 Mbps to 1 Gbps and the flexibility to scale bandwidth over the same interface.

Integra Telecom brings to the partnership a vast fiber optic network spanning 11 western states, including Arizona. Their extensive network, one of the largest in the US, covers 5,000 miles and is supplemented by a substantial metropolitan area network. This network reaches 200 business communities and includes 1,700 buildings directly connected to their fiber optic infrastructure. Integra holds the position of the fourth largest competitive local exchange carrier in the US.

Integra provides standardized Ethernet services based on Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) guidelines. Their services encompass Ethernet Private Line (EPL), Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL), and layer 2 configurations for high-performance Wide Area Networks (WANs). Using Class of Service (CoS) technology, they enable converged networks for voice, data, and video, ensuring that time-sensitive packets are prioritized.

Both Saddleback and Integra manage high-performance fiber optic networks serving a wide customer base, including businesses that rely on dependable, high-bandwidth Ethernet services. By merging their networks for seamless Ethernet data transfer, they can now offer businesses on both networks the ability to connect as if operating under a shared “digital roof.”

Does your business require reliable, high-bandwidth network connectivity? Carrier Ethernet, through network interconnections, now extends nationwide and globally. Explore competitive pricing for fiber optic Ethernet network services and discover the options available. You might be surprised by what you find.

Note: Map of Arizona courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.