Move Expands Ethernet Access Coverage and Densifies Wireline Network
By Increasing U.S. IP/MPLS Nodes by More Than 50 Percent
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – Jan. 3, 2017 – Sprint (NYSE:S, news, filings) has expanded its family of Ethernet Access services to include Ethernet over Copper and Ethernet over DOCSIS technologies that enables its business customers to future-proof their network and reap the benefits of an all-IP future. Sprint currently provides national coverage of fiber-based Ethernet access across the United States and in 123 countries.
To support the growing shift from legacy data networks to an all-IP environment, Sprint also added 52 U.S. IP/MPLS nodes in 2016, and in 2017 will add more than 70 nodes, expanding to more than 220 U.S. IP/MPLS nodes. Additionally, Sprint built Network to Network Interconnections (NNI) with more than 50 ILEC and cable providers, creating an Ethernet access footprint that blankets the United States.
“Sprint added more than 1.5M on-net Ethernet buildings from Alternate Access Vendors and added Ethernet coverage to more than 7,000 LEC serving wire centers nationally, giving Sprint the largest Ethernet access footprint in the United States,” said Mike Fitz, President and General Manager of the Sprint Global Wireline Business Unit.
Sprint employs a service model that leverages its own infrastructure for core capabilities (e.g., IP and wireless) and teams with local access providers for last-mile access. Through its new NNI footprint and an agnostic approach to providing Ethernet access, Sprint anticipates providing Ethernet access services to more than 96% of their U.S. customer’s locations by 1Q 2017.
“During 2016, customer orders for Ethernet access increased 60% quarter over quarter as our business customers accelerated their migration from legacy voice and data networks to Global IP/MPLS and SIP Trunking,” Fitz said. “We now have a footprint that supports the connectivity needs of diverse customer sites. And with Ethernet over Copper and Ethernet over DOCSIS we can support sites that don’t require a high-bandwidth fiber connection or where fiber is not yet available.”
The migration of voice, data, and video on the same all-IP network, accelerating adoption of cloud services, and an ever-growing mobile workforce are driving enterprises to consider WAN solutions that meet their increasing need for flexibility, performance and security. In October, Sprint announced it plans on launching an SD-WAN solution in early 1H 2017.
SD-WAN technology enables enterprises to more efficiently manage corporate networks, optimize performance, and design business policies that improve the customer experience.
“Customers are looking for efficiency and cost-savings,” Fitz said. “The combination of lower-cost Ethernet access options with the inherent cost savings in an SD-WAN solution enable us to provide both.”
Ethernet over Copper and DOCSIS provide business-class connectivity at a lower cost per bandwidth than TDM access. Ethernet over Copper uses the existing copper network to transport native Ethernet signals, while Ethernet over DOCSIS uses the existing connectivity of cable providers to transmit Ethernet frames over coaxial cable.
“Ethernet over Copper and Ethernet over DOCSIS both provide the same reliability as TDM and are supported by industry-leading Service Level Agreements,” Fitz said. “With Ethernet technologies, customers will realize cost savings as their bandwidth needs increase.”
The Sprint Ethernet over Copper and Ethernet over DOCSIS offers include symmetrical speeds from 2MB to 10MB. Business customers receive professional installation, strong Business Class Service Level Agreements (SLAs), 24x7x365 monitoring and support, multiple classes of service, and access to the Sprint Compass Management Tool.
“One of Sprint’s strengths is our ability to successfully integrate network elements from different sources and deliver an exceptional end-to-end service experience,” Fitz said. “Sprint has a long history of providing customers with consistently strong SLA’s, on-time delivery and high-quality installation.
“Technology is dramatically altering the way businesses communicate and work. Soon, all data transport, voice and cloud solutions will communicate across an all-IP network using a single, standard technology. Migrating from TDM to Ethernet access – Ethernet over Fiber, Copper or DOCSIS — ensures our customers have a network that is ready for the future, while delivering speed and cost-savings now.”
About Sprint
Sprint (NYSE: S) is a communications services company that creates more and better ways to connect its customers to the things they care about most. Sprint served 60.2 million connections as of Sept. 30, 2016 and is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including the first wireless 4G service from a national carrier in the United States; leading no-contract brands including Virgin Mobile USA, Boost Mobile, and Assurance Wireless; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) North America for the past five years. You can learn more and visit Sprint atwww.sprint.com or www.facebook.com/sprint and www.twitter.com/sprint.
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