Begins Global Rollout Based on Successful Development Program with 24 Participants Including AboveNet, Easynet, KPN International, PCCW Global, RCN Metro, Reliance Globalcom and Virgin Media Business
London, England (at the Light Reading Ethernet Europe 2010 Conference) – April 12, 2010 – Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ:EQIX, news, filings), a leading provider of global data center services, today launched the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange™, a global service that provides a multi-carrier environment for the exchange of data traffic between providers of Ethernet services. Originally announced in October 2009 as a service development program, the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange is the first service of its kind to be successfully deployed globally, enabling carriers to meet the worldwide demand for Ethernet services, an expanding industry that is expected to reach $40 billion by 2014.
The Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange development program included as participants 24 of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, including AboveNet, BroadbandONE, Easynet Global Services, euNetworks, Exponential-e, Hibernia Atlantic, RCN Metro Optical Networks, Internet Solutions, KPN International, Level 3 Communications, PacketExchange, PCCW Global, Reliance Globalcom, SSE Telecoms, TeraGate AG, Tinet and Virgin Media Business, among others. The service is rolling out to five metros including the Los Angeles, New York, Silicon Valley, Chicago and London metro regions, and is expected to expand to 14 other metro regions throughout the next year.
“Equinix’s global platform is a welcome addition to support our internationally recognized leadership position and greatly extends the accessibility of our Ethernet service portfolio,” said Managing Director Carolien Nijhuis, KPN International. “The ability to distribute and support multi-regional Ethernet connections on one central platform will attract more customers who are able to benefit from our high quality services at a more competitive price level.”
“This launch is an important milestone for Equinix and for the Ethernet services industry in general,” said Jarrett Appleby, CMO, Equinix. “While the Ethernet market has been growing at a breakneck pace, the full potential has yet to be realized because carriers have been limited to the geographic areas where their networks are deployed. Our offering immediately removes that fundamental barrier, enabling carriers to deliver consistent, scalable Ethernet services across multiple borders around the world simultaneously.
In addition to the official launch of the service, this announcement marks the closing of Equinix’s comprehensive and successful development program. In total, Equinix conducted more than 200 unique tests across seven different regions with 24 program participants, demonstrating the efficacy of the testing program and the long-term commercial viability of the service.
Appleby continues, “The development program for the Equinix Ethernet Exchange was comprehensive, meticulous and highly successful. It speaks volumes that our collaborative development approach netted as many world-class participants prior to launch, underscoring the demand for this service and the tremendous value it will deliver to the global Ethernet community.”
“As well as having the potential to simplify the technical complexities in delivering Ethernet services, the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange also creates a massive marketplace of potential partners,” said Mark Heraghty, managing director, Virgin Media Business. “Not only will that enable us to better support our customers’ needs, but it also means that we have the flexibility and scalability needed to add or expand our overall service offerings.”
Fully compliant with Metro Ethernet Forum standards, The Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange removes the technical boundaries associated with offering Ethernet services by providing a platform for multi-provider carrier Ethernet interconnection. In addition to the technical platform, the offering also includes access to a rich ecosystem of potential content and technical partners, creating an online marketplace that enables carriers to seamlessly extend their global reach and depth. The service enables carriers to translate between different carrier Ethernet offerings to ensure transparent service by providing an interconnection technical specification.
Pricing and Availability
The Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange is available immediately in the following markets: Los Angeles, New York, Silicon Valley, Chicago and London. Subsequent rollouts and additional regions will be announced throughout the year. For full pricing details, please contact your Equinix Account Manager or contact us at ethernet@equinix.com.
About Equinix
Equinix, Inc. (NASDAQ: EQIX) provides global data center services that ensure the vitality of the information-driven world. Global enterprises, content and financial companies, and network service providers rely upon Equinix’s insight and expertise to protect and connect their most valued information assets. Equinix operates 51 International Business Exchange™ (IBX®) and partner data centers across 19 markets in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific.
Important information about Equinix is routinely posted on the investor relations page of its website located at www.equinix.com/investors. We encourage you to check Equinix’s website regularly for the most up-to-date information.
Press Contacts
Equinix Media Contact (Global)
Joan Powell
Equinix, Inc.
(650) 513-7098
E-mail
Equinix Investor Relations Contact
Jason Starr
Equinix, Inc
+1 (650) 513-7402
E-mail
Equinx Media Contact (U.S.)
Nadja Blagojevic
LEWIS PR
(415) 992-4400
E-mail
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from expectations discussed in such forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the challenges of acquiring, operating and constructing IBX centers and developing, deploying and delivering Equinix services; unanticipated costs or difficulties relating to the integration of companies we have acquired or will acquire into Equinix; a failure to receive significant revenue from customers in recently built out or acquired data centers; failure to complete any financing arrangements contemplated from time to time; competition from existing and new competitors; the ability to generate sufficient cash flow or otherwise obtain funds to repay new or outstanding indebtedness; the loss or decline in business from our key customers; and other risks described from time to time in Equinix’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see Equinix’s recent quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available upon request from Equinix. Equinix does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this press release.
Equinix and IBX are registered trademarks of Equinix, Inc. International Business Exchange is a trademark of Equinix, Inc.
PR Archives: Latest, By Company, By Date