WorldCom Launches First Nationwide Ethernet WAN

摘要

Ethernet, the dominant protocol for business LANs, is becoming more prevalent as a data-transport service connecting customer sites across town and even across the country. Last week, WorldCom launched the first wide area network service available nationwide, initially in and between 84 U.S. cities. Other carriers, including Broadwing, Qwest, and SBC, are developing similar offerings. Until now, businesses could buy regional Ethernet services or nationwide "transparent LAN" services, which require protocol translations. But WorldCom is the only carrier with a nationwide service capable of delivering Ethernet traffic without protocol translations, analysts say.