AboveNet Announces Ethernet eXchange Hub Service

CENX and Equinix carrier customers will have first access to AboveNet's hub service in top metro markets

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- AboveNet, Inc. (NYSE: ABVT), a leading provider of high bandwidth connectivity solutions, today announced the Ethernet eXchange Hub service optimized to provide carriers with next-generation high bandwidth connectivity. The new service will be available first to customers operating in select CENX and Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchanges.

The eXchange Hub service acts as the hub or central connectivity port in the carrier exchange. Carriers can then leverage AboveNet's network for Ethernet connectivity to key enterprise locations, carrier hotels and data centers. With pre-positioned hub capability and a simplified provisioning process, the carrier will get cost-effective, scalable, high bandwidth connectivity to meet their business needs.

Key service features include:

• high-performance Ethernet services with bandwidth levels from 100Mbps to 5Gbps.
• competitive access pricing.
• aggregated hand-off to the carrier at pre-defined exchange locations.
• fiber-centric delivery with no space or power needs at service end-points.
• ease of provisioning at pre-configured, existing hub locations.
• capability to easily add more sites to meet carrier needs.

AboveNet already has existing strategic relationships with CENX and Equinix that expand its reach to carrier exchange tenants in global markets including Chicago, London, New York, Virginia and San Francisco. The eXchange Hub service is a key addition to the Ethernet solutions portfolio available to carriers who in turn can extend the business benefits of AboveNet's high-performance Ethernet network to their own customers.

"AboveNet's expansive network footprint connects to business-critical locations in the top U.S. and European metros. CENX members are already able to reach more than 15 million Ethernet Service Locations (ESLs) via our Carrier Ethernet Exchanges and this new connection provides our members additional access to AboveNet's next-generation Ethernet services and connectivity to the top global markets over a cost-effective, high bandwidth network," said Eric Gillenwater, senior vice president, worldwide development for CENX.

"Equinix is helping carriers quickly and easily connect, expand service availability and speed their time to revenue in new markets," said Jim Poole, general manager of Global Networks, Mobility and Content for Equinix. "We are excited to partner with AboveNet, and welcome them to the growing list of participants to the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange."

AboveNet expects the eXchange Hub service to be available in the first quarter of 2011. The full existing suite of services is currently available to carriers in the leading Ethernet Exchanges.