BT Expands Ethernet Service in U.S. and Canada to Meet Growing Customer Demand

IRVING, Texas, Jan. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BT (NYSE: BT), one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services, has expanded BT Ethernet Connect, its global Ethernet virtual private network (VPN) service, to enable large organizations to evolve and grow their infrastructure while maintaining control of their IP architecture.

According to recent research by IDC, the total U.S. Ethernet services market is expected to grow from $2.6 billion in 2009 to $7.2 billion in 2014.*  BT is meeting this demand with additional nodes in the US and Canada to BT Ethernet Connect, an adaptable, secure Ethernet VPN service that is available in 28 countries with additional countries covered by long lines.

Customers can set up their network to meet current needs and then add features when needed. BT Ethernet Connect is ideal for a range of applications including connecting data centers and organizations that wish to design and manage their IP layer.

In addition to the new nodes, three access resilience options are now available:

• Standard: Offers a single physical connection from the BT point of presence (POP) to the customer site.
• Diverse: Offers two accesses that are delivered to the same BT POP.
• Diverse+: Offers two accesses that are delivered to different POPs.

BT Ethernet Connect has been certified by the Metro Ethernet Forum to its standards MEF 9 and 14.  These standards provide independent validation of the conformance and performance of Ethernet services.

Kim McMann, President, BT U.S. and Canada, said: "At BT we continue to expand our service offerings to meet our customers' growing needs for global communications.  With our ability to provide  IP VPN services in more than 170 countries/ territories and Ethernet VPN services in 28 countries, multinational customers with operations in the U.S. and Canada rely on us to keep them connected and to provide value-added services that let them focus on their core business, not their networked IT infrastructure."

For more details on BT Ethernet Connect, go to: http://www.globalservices.bt.com/us/en/products/ethernet_connect

*IDC, U.S. Carrier Ethernet Services 2010-2014 Forecast, Doc #224544, August 2010.

Notes to editors:
BT operates a global network infrastructure with the ability to provide services in 197 countries and territories. BT takes a total network approach, global and local, integrating connectivity seamlessly to deliver improved business performance for our customers.  BT's 2.5bn pounds Sterling investment in super-fast fibre-based broadband will make the UK one of the best connected countries in the world. BT's powerful mix of highly available and reliable international network services such as Private Line Connect, IP Connect Global, Ethernet Connect Global, Internet Connect Global and Managed LAN combined with Connect Applications brings large organisations together with their employees, customers and the world. Access services are delivered through Ethernet, DSL, Hybrid VPN and Satellite. During the last financial year, BT has extended its Ethernet footprint in the UK to over 1,000 fibre Ethernet nodes, providing the country's largest Ethernet network. BT's Ethernet Connect Global service now covers 28 countries globally, with additional countries covered through long lines and further expansion planned in 2012.

More information and technical datasheets on http://www.globalservices.bt.com

About BT
BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries.   Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2011, BT Group's revenue was 20,076m pounds with profit before taxation of 1,717m pounds.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.btplc.com

SOURCE BT