Applications Invited for 2010 MEF Service Provider Awards

New categories & criteria reflect the evolving landscape of
Carrier Ethernet Services

July 29th 2010, Los Angeles: Applications are now invited from forward-looking service providers offering Carrier Ethernet services to compete for the MEF Carrier Ethernet Service Provider Awards – 2010. The MEF’s Global Interconnect program is already changing the face of worldwide telecoms, and the awards have been restructured to reflect the evolving service provider landscape. Recognized as an annual celebration of excellence and leadership in the development, marketing and delivery of Carrier Ethernet Services, these awards and presented annually in North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) and for the first time this year, the dynamic Caribbean & Latin American (CALA) region. Full details and application forms are available now from the MEF website http://metroethernetforum.org/mef-service-provider-awards

“The addition of the CALA region to our awards program reflects the expanding number of Carrier Ethernet service offerings within the region” says Kevin Vachon, MEF Chief Operating Officer. “This year’s categories also reflect the maturity of the Carrier Ethernet market with clear differentiators now emerging between business and wholesale service offerings, largely as a result of the impact of the MEF’s  Global Interconnect Program” he added.

For each region there are now four categories to encourage the widest range of service provider submissions, regardless of size or footprint. “Best Business Ethernet Service” encompasses enterprise services with an emphasis on innovation combined with real business benefits. “Best Wholesale Ethernet Service” rewards the service provider with the most robust wholesale service offering extending the reach of Ethernet services including mobile backhaul and Ethernet Business Services. “Best Marketing” recognizes creativity and proven results in marketing of Ethernet Services.

The “Regional Service Provider of the Year” will be awarded on the basis of the cumulative score from the above 3 categories plus additional qualifications relating to the company’s specific regional coverage. Finally, the “Global Service Provider of the Year” award will recognize the service provider with the most comprehensive Ethernet product portfolio and service coverage.

The awards will be judged by an independent panel of senior industry analysts and are open to all providers of Carrier Ethernet services in the respective regions. The awards will be announced and presented at gala award dinners as follows: EMEA Awards, Carrier Ethernet World Congress, Warsaw, September 21, 2010; North American Awards, Light Reading Ethernet Expo, New York, November 2, 2010; CALA Awards, NetEvents Service Provider Summit, Miami, November 16, 2010; finally the APAC and Global Awards, Carrier Ethernet World APAC, Hong Kong, December 2, 2010.

Award entry forms and submission deadlines along with further information are now available at http://metroethernetforum.org/mef-service-provider-awards

About The MEF:
The MEF is a global industry alliance comprising more than 165 organizations including telecommunications service providers, cable MSOs, network equipment/software manufacturers, semiconductors vendors and testing organizations. The MEF’s mission is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier-class Ethernet networks and services. The MEF develops Carrier Ethernet technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability and deployment of Carrier Ethernet worldwide.

For more information about the Forum, including a complete listing of all current MEF members, please visit the MEF web site at http://www.MetroEthernetForum.org/