Ethernet Access service allows service providers to seamlessly extend their service area and increase their addressable market

Albany, NY March 18, 2014 – FirstLight Fiber, a facilities-based telecommunications service provider operating fiber optic networks in Upstate New York and Northern New England with connectivity to Canada, announced today that it is now offering industry standard compliant Ethernet Access service across its entire footprint.  Ethernet Access service is an increasingly popular Carrier Ethernet 2.0 solution that enables service providers to seamlessly leverage the networks of regional, fiber-based networks to extend their reach and serve customers’ remote locations.

FirstLight’s Layer 2 Ethernet service is designed in accordance with industry standards to ensure end-to-end, high quality and reliable Ethernet connections and is available in point-to-point, point-to-multipoint and multipoint-to-multipoint configurations.

Ethernet Access service (formally defined as MEF 33 E-Access service type) is presently the only service to be defined from an External Network Node Interface (ENNI) to a User Network Interface (UNI).  Ethernet Access service is deliberately simplified with two optional services that include a port-based service at the UNI (Access EPL); and a VLAN-Aware service at the UNI (Access EVPL).  FirstLight’s Ethernet Access service meets the carrier’s requirement to deliver IT applications in a predictable and consistent manner irrespective of the remote end-user location, ensuring a consistent delivery and quality of service.  From the end user’s perspective, the wholesale carrier is providing a complete solution and the carrier is able to maintain QoS across the network.  From the carrier’s perspective, they are able to choose a single location to connect to the FirstLight network, and from there, leverage FirstLight’s 1,400 on-net locations and 10,000 near-net locations to serve their customers.

“Enhancing our already robust portfolio of Metro Ethernet solutions, FirstLight’s offering of Ethernet Access service represents our Company’s ongoing commitment to support our carrier customers with the newest, most progressive technologies,” commented Brian Kurkowski, CTO of FirstLight. “Few carriers have ubiquitous networks, so being able to leverage FirstLight’s extensive fiber network throughout Upstate New York and Northern New England will allow our carrier customers to better serve their clients.  FirstLight’s Metro Ethernet service, now enhanced with Ethernet Access service, meets the industry’s highest standards, and is the reliable, scalable solution needed to help our wholesale customers provide the comprehensive solutions their clients require.”

To learn more about FirstLight, visit www.firstlight.net, or follow the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.