IP Transit: NTT America to Provision 100GigE Ports Directly to Customers by End of 2011

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor

Technology dictates so much of what we do, it is important to understand where we have been to determine where we are going. To get an idea of the most significant technology trend in 2010, TMCnet’s Rich Tehrani spoke with Michael Wheeler (News - Alert), vice president and head of Global IP Network Division of NTT America. Wheeler believes the most significant trend of last year was the continued movement toward cloud computing by enterprises of all sizes. Tehrani and Wheeler talked in anticipation of the upcoming ITEXPO (News - Alert) East 2011 event.

Wheeler was also asked his opinion on the mobile winners in 2011, and he pointed to Apple as the likely winner. As for technology changing the world for the better, Wheeler highlighted technology that is focused on improving and advancing education. Asked about net neutrality, Wheeler expressed his concern that it will be administered by the FCC and this could become overbearing in an open market. As for the greatest technology development in 2011, Wheeler pointed to the need for every company and end user to deploy a plan for the reality of IPv4.

As for what to expect from NTT America in 2011, the company will be provisioning 100GigE ports directly to its customers by the end of the year, which is an exciting development for the company. When asked for a surprising prediction for 2011, Wheeler indicated that the overall global economy will continue to have a strong revitalization and the technology industry will be the leader in this growth curve.

Their entire conversation follows:

What was the most significant technology trend in 2010 and what impact will it have in 2011?

During 2010, the most significant trend throughout the technology industry was the continued movement toward cloud computing by enterprises of all sizes. Because of the scalability, flexibility and minimal initial cost structure that are received from the cloud, every company will need to shift its infrastructure toward the cloud to realize the benefits.

There will be multiple impacts on the industry as a result of enterprise companies investing in cloud computing in 2011. First, it will continue to create new opportunities for existing cloud providers to expand and extend their product/service portfolios. Second, it will provide the genesis for many new startup companies to meet the diverse and growing needs of the marketplace with unique cloud offerings. Last, it will continue to require service providers like NTT Communications (News - Alert) to provide a high quality of service and a continued investment in our infrastructure so we can provide the level of service that our customers require.

2. Who will be the mobile winners in 2011 out of Google Android, Apple, Microsoft, Nokia (News - Alert), and RIM?

The mobile segment has become very crowded with many large companies competing for market share. In 2011, it is difficult to not look at Apple as the most likely biggest winner. The recent news that Verizon (News - Alert) will support the iPhone in 2011 will generate a massive new set of potential customers for Apple. The popularity of the iPad is undeniable, and with the Gen2 version rumored to hit the street in 2011, this will also create a huge revenue upside for Apple. Even for the technologically challenged segment of the user audience, the iPhone offers some of the most user friendly access to social media, music and applications. Verizon’s user base of more than 90 million wireless subscribers coupled with Apple’s proven technology platform will make for a powerful combination in 2011. The wireless market as a whole is expanding, so most of the players above will see some benefit, but my money would be with Apple as the big winner.

3. How can technology change the world for the better?

Wow, this is a broad question with so many great answers. The area I would highlight as one that could change the world for the better is technology focused on improving and advancing education. As a global provider, NTT Communications provides bandwidth to country incumbent providers worldwide, who in turn offer services to an enormous set of highly diverse end users including educational institutions. The “silver bullet” that can improve lives is education. Technology, and the Internet specifically, have had an immeasurable amount of positive change in the world simply because it has enabled education through tools and applications — a revolutionary reality. Let’s not forget that academia was one of the major developers and builders of the Internet. Hopefully, we’ll never forget that legacy and that we continue to use the Internet as a way to change the world for the better through education. 

4. The FCC has recently voted to support net neutrality. Is net neutrality necessary, or will it present more challenges than it will solve?

The topic of net neutrality has numerous facets with many shades of gray, so there are no easy answers. The Internet as an ecosystem has thrived for decades through self-governance and by truly allowing capitalism to be the decider of who the winners are, in the short term and long term. My concern about net neutrality administered by the FCC is that whenever government and regulation become overbearing in an open market, there is the high potential for bureaucracy and regression.

Another concern is that the Internet is a global phenomenon, and the FCC’s area of authority is only in the United States. There is no question that the United States plays a major role in the Internet, but it is incredibly self-absorbed for anyone from the United States to believe that we can legislate or govern the entire Internet on a global level.

Regardless of what results from the net neutrality debate, it’s crucial that there is as much balance as possible and that no set of entities is provided any type of unfair advantage or disadvantage.

5. What will be the greatest technological development in 2011? Why?

In 2011, the need for every company and user to deploy a plan for the reality of IPv4 depletion and implementation of an IPv6 strategy on a global level will reach every corner of the Internet. There are several groups with various predictions about the timing, but regardless of whether you look to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), the Regional Internet Registries (RIRs) or other third-party groups, everyone is in agreement — 2011 is the year. This isn’t a doomsday prediction, but it is fair to say this is a clear and distinct warning: Make sure you have a plan for IPv6 implementation if the Internet matters to your business.

6. What new and exciting products/solutions can we expect to see from your company in 2011?

By the end of 2011, NTT Communications will be provisioning 100GigE ports directly to our customers. We have many customers on a global basis with hundreds of Gb of direct capacity with us as Tier 1 IP Network. These ports are distributed in bundles of 10GigE ports in each location. Given the traffic growth and demand, there is no question that some customers will be looking for 100GigE ports before the end of this year. In 2006, when we were one of the first Tier 1’s deploying 10GigE ports to customers, we capitalized on the unique value proposition that many of our competitors couldn’t accomplish, and I believe we have that same opportunity in 2011 with 100GigE ports.

7. Please make one surprising prediction for 2011.

In 2011, the overall global economy will continue to have a strong revitalization, and the technology industry will be the leader of that growth curve. Last year was a rebuilding year, and in 2011, the market will see a much greater improvement before the end of the year. There are many factors involved in this, but psychology may be the most important. There is a sense of optimism again that hasn’t existed during the past couple of years. This will be the secret ingredient we need to see the growth and expansion in 2011.

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Andrew Litz

(source: http://www.tmcnet.com/channels/ip-transit/articles/136980-ip-transit-ntt-america-provision-100gige-ports-directly.htm)

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