Metro Ethernet Forum Expands its Certification Programs to Service Providers Worldwide; Tier 1 Service Providers Quick to Respond.

NEW YORK -- Bob Metcalfe, inventor of Ethernet and Advisory Director to the Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) announced today the launch of Phase 2 of the MEF's Carrier Ethernet Certification Program extending the benefits of certification to service providers offering Carrier Ethernet services. Since Phase 1 of the program - focusing on systems and equipment certification - was launched in April this year, already 39 systems have been certified as complying with the MEF's Carrier Ethernet service specifications.

Bob Metcalfe's presentation focused on Ethernet's accelerating evolution assisted by the development of international standards. "I already see Ethernet developing in three directions: UP in speed, DOWN to 8 billion as-yet un-networked processors shipped each year, and increasingly OVER wireless links. But now it's moving even further ACROSS the telechasm between LANs and WANs with the development of Carrier Ethernet. The MEF's Carrier Ethernet Certification Program removes any remaining doubts - it's like taking the brakes off an already fast moving vehicle."

"By defining and certifying Carrier Ethernet standards of Ethernet services, the MEF enables end users to make an informed choice about which service providers and offerings to use," said Nan Chen, President of the MEF. "We were pleased by the rapid response to Phase 1 of our Certification Program addressing Carrier Ethernet products, with more than a dozen vendors responding within weeks of its launch. Meanwhile, we already have received a very positive response to the service certification program from the service provider community.

"Carrier Ethernet is certainly taking off at an amazing pace," Chen continued. "According to analyst firm IDC, Ethernet Services revenues are expected to reach $19 billion by 2007, and just today Infonetics Research announced projected Metro Ethernet equipment sales will reach $3.8 billion this year; rising to $7.6 billion in 2008."

"We welcome the opportunity presented by the MEF's Certification Program to certify our Ethernet offerings" said Richard Klapman, Group Manager of AT&T Converged Packet Access Services. "We are confident that the Certification Program will provide independent confirmation to promote and ensure the highest standards of interoperability among the Ethernet offerings by access providers. This will enable AT&T to better satisfy its customers' needs for Ethernet access to AT&T's Virtual Private Network, Managed Internet Services, wide area Ethernet private line (E-Line), and Metro Ethernet (E-LAN) services. It also will provide customers with the flexibility, performance and cost benefits of Carrier Ethernet service using the MEF standard on a global basis."

Michael Tighe, Director of Advanced Data Services from Verizon, and a Director of the MEF adds: "We are pleased to be among the first to apply for the MEF Certification Program, confirming Verizon's commitment to delivering accredited Carrier Ethernet services which adhere to globally recognized standards. Carrier Ethernet allows us to deliver exceptional levels of services to our customers at short notice and with considerable flexibility - this Certification Program is an opportunity to show that we can do this in a consistent manner for all our customers."

"Metro Ethernet is one of the fastest growing services the industry has seen," said Mike Rouleau, Senior Vice President - Business Development and Strategy for Time Warner Telecom. "Customers have the need to scale their businesses and deploy services in more locations than ever before. Certification of standards that the MEF proposes, will drive the interoperability of Ethernet-enabled networks to help customers get to those additional locations much faster and solve their business problems more efficiently. This initiative will help further our customer's plans for convergence while creating new applications and network integration."

The initial certifications for E-Line and E-LAN Ethernet services will be announced during the first quarter of 2006. AT&T, Met-Net, Qwest, SBC Communications Inc. Time Warner Telecom, T-Systems and Verizon are among the first service providers to express their commitment to Ethernet service certification, with further tier 1 and tier 2 providers also showing keen initial interest.

About The Metro Ethernet Forum:

The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) is a global industry alliance comprising of approximately 70 organizations including telecommunications service providers, network equipment/software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors and testing organizations. The MEF's mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services. The MEF develops Carrier Ethernet technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment of Carrier Ethernet worldwide.

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