Cox Business Certified For Advanced Ethernet Services

Metro Ethernet Forum Validates Cox Business’ Commitment to Provide High-End Data Connections

ATLANTA - Cox Business announced today that it is MEF 14 compliant, a distinction bestowed by the global Metro Ethernet Forum and the hallmark of carriers who deliver advanced Ethernet services.

In order to meet increased communications requirements, businesses of all sizes are implementing high-bandwidth applications across their organizations. Ethernet services enable these companies to cost effectively create wide area networks that link multiple locations for increased productivity.

Communication providers that attain MEF 14 certification have the ability to offer quality of service (QoS) for Ethernet services, backed by service level specifications. Certified Ethernet performance capabilities paired with Cox Business’s superior customer service provides a unique value proposition for customers.

“Cox Business has established itself as the MSO leader in the U.S. Business Ethernet Services marketplace and continues to be aggressive in this space,” said Rosemary Cochran, principal, Vertical Systems Group. “The latest MEF 14 certification further solidifies Cox Business as a competitive threat to telco incumbents and enables the company to offer a higher level of service to its customers in the future.”

Cox Business is currently ranked fourth among U.S. Ethernet providers, above several incumbent providers, according to Vertical Systems Group’s Year-End 2007 U.S. Retail Business Ethernet share analysis. Cox Business became the first MSO to enter the top tier of U.S. business Ethernet providers in 2007. The company attributes its aggressive growth to its successful history of delivering Ethernet services to customers served by both fiber and hybrid fiber coax (HFC).

“Ethernet-based services are extremely flexible and efficient and MEF 14 certification further demonstrates Cox’s commitment to this technology,” said Kristine Faulkner, vice president of product development and management, Cox Business. “Cox’s network uniquely aligns with this preferred transport platform to offer compelling data services throughout our service areas that meet a variety of business needs.”

An example of an Ethernet application is Cox’s MedNetSM, a private IP network in Hampton Roads, Va. that will link physician offices with a broad network of clinics and hospitals throughout the area. Many of the medical facilities will attach to this unique network utilizing Ethernet solutions from Cox Business. These Ethernet connections are engineered to exceed Metro Ethernet Forum specifications, providing additional assurances to hospitals, physicians and patients that will transmit sensitive medical information.

Organizations that utilize Cox’s MedNet can share applications with multiple locations, reduce data management and storage costs and deliver better care. With integrated administrative and clinical data, health care providers can improve the accuracy of initial patient diagnosis by accessing up-to-the-minute updates of medical histories.

In addition to delivering creative Ethernet solutions to business customers, Cox uses Ethernet to provide wholesale services for national telecommunications carriers. Ethernet’s flexibility, reliability and efficient cost make it ideal for local access and wireless tower backhaul connections.

“Cable operators like Cox understand the value of Ethernet services and are transforming business communications with their service offerings,” said Nan Chen, president, Metro Ethernet Forum. “MEF 14 focuses on the performance and quality of service issues that identify Carrier Ethernet’s suitability for mission critical business applications.”

Cox Business provides a full portfolio of voice, data and video services to more than 200,000 business customers in Cox markets across the U.S., including small businesses, multi-location enterprises, regional healthcare providers and federal, state and local government organizations.