| [March 08, 2005] |
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Metro Ethernet Forum to take on Ethernet in the First Mile; MEF Expands Its Scope to Include Development of the Market for Ethernet Access Network Technologies
ANAHEIM, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- March 8, 2005 -- The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) today announced it will expand its scope to promote standards-based Ethernet in the First Mile technologies and encouraged the utilization and implementation of Ethernet in the First Mile based upon the IEEE standard. The MEF , with a mission to accelerate the adoption of Carrier Ethernet services and technologies, will assume these activities which, until recently, were the focus of the Ethernet in the First Mile Alliance (EFMA).
Companies actively participating in the IEEE 802.3ah Ethernet in the First Mile project formed the EFMA in 2001 to promote the new standard. The EFM standard is a new set of standards for Ethernet in public access networks over both optical and copper media originally formed the EFMA and was completed on July 27, 2004.
Adding Ethernet in the first mile was a natural fit for the MEF given its role of promoting Ethernet services and infrastructure technologies. Many of the EFMA members including Extreme Networks, Cisco Systems and Hatteras Networks are already MEF members, and EFMA member companies, such as Ericsson Communications, will join the MEF to continue their market development of Ethernet in the First Mile as an integral part of the MEF.
"The job of promoting Ethernet in the public network and developing the market for Ethernet access technologies has only just begun - on going promotion of this work is best accomplished by the MEF given its much broader scope of activities." Commented Peter Linder, EFMA Board Member and Technical Director, Wireline Business Unit Systems, Ericsson AB. . With the additional members and new expertise in infrastructure for Ethernet in the First Mile, the MEF will now be better suited to accomplish its mission of accelerating the adoption of Carrier Ethernet services and technologies worldwide
Additional benefits that MEF members will obtain are as follows: -- The MEF has both Technical and Marketing Committees devoted to the development of technical specifications and market development of Ethernet in public network. These committees provide the best possible forum for continuing the work begun by the EFMA over the past three years. -- The newly standardized Ethernet in the First Mile technologies and products are important to the successful deployment of the Ethernet in both Access and Metro networks. The MEF's mission of accelerating the adoption of Carrier Ethernet services and technologies supports the promotion of specific EFM technologies. -- Most EFMA member companies are also stakeholders in the Carrier Ethernet market, and the coming together of the two industry groups will cross-pollinate the combined membership with new ideas, energy and experience. -- As the definitive source for information about both Carrier Ethernet and Ethernet Access networks, the MEF will continue to expand its credibility and expertise in public Ethernet networks. -- It affords the MEF the opportunity to become more closely associated with the IEEE 802.3 Ethernet Task Force -- Through donation, the MEF will receive the value of both the financial and intellectual assets of the EFMA. -- The MEF will migrate the EFMA website content to the MEF's website.
Nan Chen, President of the MEF, said, "The MEF views the adoption of Ethernet in the First Mile technologies and products as critical to the successful acceleration of Carrier Ethernet in the public networks worldwide. We are confident that taking on Ethernet in The First Mile will result in an increase in the rate of uptake of Ethernet in public networks worldwide." Craig Easley, President, EFMA concurred "the expanded role of the Metro Ethernet Forum more closely aligns the forum with the IEEE and paves the way for continued cooperation between the MEF and other telecommunications standards bodies ensuring the consistent delivery of compliant Ethernet services and technologies."
About The Metro Ethernet Forum:
The Metro Ethernet Forum is a non-profit organization created to accelerate the adoption of Ethernet in metro networks worldwide, the Metro Ethernet Forum consists of more than sixty five member companies representing a range of leading Ethernet service providers, major incumbent local exchange carriers, top network equipment vendors and other prominent networking companies. For more information about the Forum, including a complete listing of all current MEF members, please visit the MEF web site at www.MetroEthernetForum.org
Press Briefings: Please contact Mark Fox, Email: mfox@ZonicGroup.com if you would like to set-up an interview with an MEF board member regarding this announcement.
Useful contacts for this release:
Craig Easley, Former President of EFMA and now Board Member of Metro Ethernet Forum, Email: craig@MetroEthernetForum.net
Nan Chen, President, Metro Ethernet Forum, Email: nan@MetroEthernetForum.net
Photographs available at www.zonicgroup.com/press_resources/mef
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