Verizon Business Makes It Easier for Businesses With Traditional Data Networks to Move to IP

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Verizon Business is making it easier for businesses using traditional data services such as frame relay and ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) to make the move to Internet protocol.

The company on Wednesday (Dec. 17) unveiled enhancements to its Private IP-Layer 2 service that enable businesses to realize some of the key benefits of Verizon Business' Private IP-Layer 3 service.  These benefits include multi protocol label switching (MPLS) performance and traffic-engineering capabilities.

Layer 2 provides data links using older, non-IP, switching equipment. Layer 3 is the network level where more advanced IP-based technology like MPLS can transfer information between different devices and various networks.

The newly announced Verizon Private IP-Layer 2 capabilities include:

• The ability for U.S.-based companies to connect locations in 49 countries.

• Higher bandwidth, with speeds up to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).
• Layer 3 connectivity via a shared port, enabling a true IP experience for transmitting next-generation applications.
• New access options, including Ethernet with traffic prioritization.
• A choice of frame relay or ATM endpoints at different business sites, paving the way for a low-maintenance migration for many customers.

"We've reached a tipping point where IP provides a clear competitive advantage for globally extended enterprises that need to communicate immediately and securely with employees, customers, suppliers and partners," said Tom Roche, vice president -- networking solutions for Verizon.  "Companies today are looking to tune up their networks to work harder, and Private IP-Layer 2 can extend the capabilities and return on investment of an existing data infrastructure."

While many enterprises have embraced IP-based VPNs, some prefer to continue to maintain control of their network routing rather than share routing tables with a service provider.  With a rich Private IP portfolio that includes both Layer 2 and Layer 3 options, Verizon Business can meet the broad needs of the enterprise market with an expansive global Private IP network infrastructure.

Built to support common protocols such as frame relay, ATM and Ethernet, Verizon Business' Private IP-Layer 2 utilizes Virtual Private Wire Service (VPWS) standards and delivers a point-to-point Layer 2 VPN connectivity between sites connected via "pseudowires," which emulate virtual circuits, over an MPLS backbone.

Bryan van Dussen, director of business markets research with In-Stat, said: "By providing a flexible, MPLS-based layer 2 networking solution, Verizon Business continues to show leadership in next-gen network solutions.  Its latest offer helps ease transition to IP for some frame relay and ATM customers who have yet to make the leap. Extensive global reach, advanced application gateways, QoS and compelling economics make this a strong value proposition for legacy network customers."

Extensive Global Reach

U.S.-based customers can now extend Private IP-Layer 2 to their global locations, enabling connectivity in 49 countries throughout Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific regions, including locations in India, Australia and New Zealand.

Private IP-Layer 2 customers can now take advantage of higher speeds - including OC-3, OC-12 and OC-48 - for transmitting bandwidth-intensive applications.  In addition, customers in U.S. locations using Ethernet to access Private IP-Layer 2 can utilize speeds of up to 1 Gbps, which is the equivalent of downloading a full-length movie in just a few seconds. 

In addition, Private IP-Layer 2 customers can employ advanced features of a Layer 3 MPLS network by adding a permanent virtual circuit, essentially a "shared port" for providing connectivity between Layer 2 and Layer 3.  Benefits to customers include the ability to receive WAN analysis performance reporting of their network, enabling visibility into network health and aiding with key network and IT decision-making to help maintain a high performance network based on an enterprise's specific needs and application mix. 

In addition, customers will gain the ability to run next-generation applications such as voice over IP, video conferencing, unified communications and other advanced features previously only available to Private IP-Layer 3 customers.  This functionality will allow customers to leverage Secure Gateway services, including mobility support, by providing PC-based encrypted wireless, dial or broadband access to Private IP-Layer 2 via the public Internet.

New Access Options Offer Greater Flexibility

Customers can now access Private IP-Layer 2 using Ethernet or ATM, and will also be able to utilize classes of service (CoS) for prioritizing traffic.  Specifically, Ethernet customers will be able to use speeds ranging from 1 megabit per second to 1 gigabit per second, and can leverage six classes of service, including video, mission critical and real-time for voice.  Customers using ATM encapsulation can leverage four levels of traffic prioritization, including mission critical, general business and real-time for voice.

Many customers utilizing traditional Layer 2 data services employ a mix of both frame relay and ATM.  The large number of companies using these traditional data services can now transition to Private IP-Layer 2 without any customer premises equipment upgrades, as the network endpoints and communications capabilities now enable a mix of both frame relay and ATM environments.  Verizon Business will add Ethernet capabilities in 2009.  This multi-access entry-point capability offers a simple migration path for customers to move to a Private IP-Layer 2 network.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions.  We combine professional expertise with the world's most connected IP network to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions. We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment.  Many of the world's largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com

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