Verizon announced that the Metro Ethernet Forum (News - Alert) recognized the company’s excellence and leadership in the development, marketing and delivery of Carrier Ethernet business services around the world.

The recognition as the Global Service Provider of the Year for the third consecutive year is based on the strength of the company's comprehensive Carrier Ethernet portfolio, continued service innovation worldwide and expansive interconnect agreements, company officials said.

"Carrier Ethernet has earned its place as an integral wide area networking solution for multinational businesses," said Mike Palmer, vice president of enterprise strategy and marketing for Verizon (News - Alert), in a statement. "Verizon's portfolio of high-IQ network solutions, featuring Carrier Ethernet, provides the flexibility businesses and government agencies require in changing IT landscape. 

“Whether serving as a platform for enterprise cloud solutions, a component of a global WAN infrastructure or as access to private and public IP-based services, Verizon can meet complex and sophisticated global customer requirements," Palmer added.

Verizon's award-winning portfolio of Ethernet services features virtual private LAN service and Ethernet virtual private line available virtually anywhere in the U.S. and in more than 32 international locations across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Canada and Mexico.

The company accepted the 2011 Global Service Provider of the Year award at an MEF (News - Alert)-sponsored reception in Singapore. 

"Verizon has paved a global path, creating innovative Carrier Ethernet solutions on a global basis,” said MEF President Nan Chen. “In addition to honoring Verizon's outstanding service to customers around the globe, the award also celebrates Verizon's overall contribution to the communications industry."

Recently, Verizon Wireless agreed to acquire 122 Advanced Wireless Services Spectrum (News - Alert) licenses for $2.6 billion, covering 259 million POPs.