Colt harnesses SDN, achieves network accreditation

Colt, the global network provider, has announced its SDN-enabled network services have achieved Metro Ethernet Forum accreditation.

The operator says it has achieved MEF Carrier Ethernet 2.0 (CE 2.0) certification for its point-to-point, any-to-any and hub and spoke services. Software defined networking forms a core part of Colt’s Modular MSP platform (M-MSP), which the telco says gives carrier and enterprise customers the agility and flexibility to scale capacity easily as bandwidth requirements change.

CE2.0 accreditation requires a third-party testing specialist, and focuses heavily on interoperability and interconnection, with the intended outcome being ease of service selection for new customers alongside the reduction of procurement risk.

VP of strategy and business development for networking services at Colt, Zhongmin Guo, reckons it’s key the operator continues to invest in its wholesale network platform.

“This certification shows that the design, quality and performance of our Carrier Ethernet services are consistent globally, and conform to the highest and most up-to-date industry standards,” he said. “Colt is now even better positioned to help enterprise and carrier customers around the world grow their business and expand into new markets. We will continue to invest in our extensive network and improve our services, so we can better serve our customers.”

The MEF’s president, Nan Chen, was effusive in his praise for Colt’s network. “The MEF congratulates Colt for the outstanding achievement of meeting the demanding performance requirements of CE 2.0 certification for multiple Ethernet services,” he said. “CE2.0 certification builds upon Colt’s success as an award-winning service provider and demonstrates the company’s commitment to excellence and innovation in developing and delivering Ethernet services.”

Earlier this month, Interoute also gained CE2.0 status as network providers across the industry make the move from CE1.0 accreditation, to the more interoperability-focussed CE2.0.