Ethernet is fast becoming a predominant fixed access technology, and according to Mark Stapleton, General Manager for Next Generation Data Products at BT Wholesale, the significance of Ethernet in BTW's plans is ‘massive'.

Stapleton notes that the overwhelming majority of businesses use Ethernet in their networks and therefore special wide area equipment is not needed for access. "Ethernet is a granular service allowing businesses to pay-as-they-grow when expanding their networks," commented Stapleton. "Ethernet is massive for all of BT. We are offering a carrier-grade quality of service and cost-efficient Ethernet services over 21CN with tremendous bandwidth capacity and service flexibility potential.

"As part of our Managed Network Solutions deals we've already taken Wholesale Ethernet orders for around £750 million from four of the five UK mobile communications providers, delivering high speed connectivity between mobile base stations. And our fixed customer business continues to grow, providing resellers with an attractive service to sell their customers."

"Resellers need to be able to offer a pick and mix approach"

New networks typically consist of DSL and Ethernet access technologies. In many cases the minimum branch bandwidth is 2Mbits, but where a customer site is eligible to use EFM, it gives them the opportunity for a more cost-effective symmetrical access pipe of up to 10Mbits. "Beyond 10Mbits, it's more cost-effective to switch to fibre. Ultimately that's more choice for those SMEs who are looking to run multiple applications such as VoIP and videoconferencing, or anti-spam, anti-fraud software services and hosted applications as well as the usual data transfer and broadband connections," added Stapleton.

In terms of features, said Stapleton, Wholesale Ethernet offers two classes of service (standard, premium), two resilience levels (standard and protected), copper and fibre access options, the ability to flex bandwidth within 24 hours, a comprehensive online ordering and customer service portal as well as high UK availability - in excess of 600 nodes to date and growing, which means shorter, cheaper premise access, claims Stapleton.

"Together this will give CPs the flexibility to focus on acquiring and retaining end user customers while enjoying a cost-effective and flexible Ethernet solution," he added. "Of course, Ethernet should be seen in conjunction with BT Wholesale's broadband offerings, which include DSL (20CN broadband), ADSL2+ (Next generation 21CN Wholesale broadband), and will soon include super-fast broadband over fibre allowing speeds of up to 40Mbits. Ethernet also underpins mobile backhaul enabling mobile broadband. Resellers need to be able to offer a pick and mix approach that will work in today's mixed economy where SMEs want to chose anything from two Mbits to speeds of 40Mbits plus."

Ethernet could ultimately replace DSL for sub-10Mbits access, notes Stapleton, but he says it offers a different type of service to ADSL2+ as well as different pricing, so customers should consider both Wholesale Broadband Connect as well as Wholesale's Ethernet in the First Mile or fibre products, depending on their business needs.

Furthermore, observes Stapleton, Ethernet could drive the market for hosted applications and SaaS. He said: "Hub and spoke topologies makes it more cost-effective to centralise the data and run across an Ethernet network taking advantage of hosted applications and SaaS covering security, anti-virus, email etc, as well as increasing communication and collaboration across multi-sites. What we are seeing is centralised services and hub and spoke topologies connecting them. Wholesale customers also use Wholesale Ethernet as a hub and spoke to connect into a limited number of points on their own networks to extend their reach."

Resellers need to be assured of service levels, so how do SLAs for Ethernet over copper compare to other access technologies such as DSL and Leased Line? "When DSL access was introduced it was priced significantly lower than traditional access to meet the requirement of a low market price, where the main differentiator was the SLA," commented Stapleton. "As customers have become comfortable with DSL access for their corporate applications they are now prepared to trade-off service levels with the potential savings they can make.

"EFM access is based on Enhanced SHDSL technology (E-SHDSL) and likely to follow a similar pattern. Unlike broadband, EFM is a multi-pair solution and provided the service ordered is delivered using more than one pair, the service is more resilient. If one of the pairs goes faulty then the EFM NTE will limit the speed but the customer won't lose service."