Metro Ethernet: Empowering society - 1 of 3

Metro Ethernet: Empowering society

Metro Ethernet is an empowering communications service that gives governments and municipalities a way to enhance economic activity, while improving the lifestyle and workstyles of citizens. Current first generation 'mid-band" network services (eg, cable modems, ADSL) are adequate for email, small document transfer and limited telecommuting activities, but they have limitations for powerful next-generation network applications; interactive distance learning, e-health, e-government, multimedia ecommerce, Internet voice/video and on-demand entertainment services. These data-rich applications require a faster and more ubiquitous form of networking and this requirement is best met with Metro Ethernet services. Metro Ethernet is worthy of governmental and municipal support for a number of reasons:

• Stimulates economic growth and entrepreneurial activity
• Improves lifestyles and workstyles of citizens
• Integrates government better with business
• Enables enhanced e-government services
• Brings new opportunities to minorities, aged and underprivileged.

Most aspects of information technology have advanced in leaps and bounds over the past 20 years, as have our long haul telecommunications networks. But current metropolitan telecoms services and building access networks are the equivalent of the early stages of the development of national motorway systems. ADSL, dial-up and cable modem services are like dirt roads and low capacity side streets in the transport analogy. Metro Ethernet in contrast, is the equivalent of a well designed super highway system connecting homes and businesses, bringing economic prosperity and a higher level of services everywhere it goes. Metro Ethernet is truly the 'information super highway" that we have been hearing about for so long.

Case point
In Ried in Austria, Infotech has launched a Metro Ethernet business that’s proving particularly successful for new build property developments. It’s also much in demand with the city administration – with over 20 sites including elementary and secondary schools on the network. 

The opportunities for improving the quality of life with Metro Ethernet are only limited by imagination. On an economic level, the relationship between information technology and economic wellbeing is very well understood at this point. Metro Ethernet is an optimum way for governments and municipalities to accelerate high-tech activity, while improving education, healthcare and government services. Metro Ethernet drives inward investment, increases revenues, and decreases business operating costs in areas wherever it is deployed.

Because it is a local infrastructure enhancement technology with a rapid potential payoff period, Metro Ethernet is a great way to encourage increased inward investment into a region. In many cases, government investment will be exceeded many times over by private investments. The result for local businesses is greater competitive opportunities, and the result for the local workforce is additional employment.

Given the quantifiable benefits information technology, and the 'bottleneck" in current metro telecommunications services, it’s clear that Metro Ethernet is the next big infrastructure issue for cities across our region - an infrastructure issue that is just as important as water, electricity, roads and other basic services.

Case point
In Bahrain, a major government initiative with Batelco, is using Metro Ethernet as the basis for a broadband Government data network. This network allows various ministries, businesses and citizens to interact with high-density data exchange and multimedia applications as part of Bahrain’s accelerated e-Government drives.

Metro Ethernet is vital to city infrastructure because it solves the so called 'last mile" problem. The last mile is the bottleneck that typically exists between high-speed long haul transport networks and residential or business network users. The last mile (also called the first mile when viewed from the user perspective) has up until now limited the degree to which metropolitan area networks can support important e-government, e-learning and e-commerce applications. By seamlessly bridging the gap between businesses, citizens and civic institutions, Metro Ethernet can grow tax bases and fortify job markets while enhancing the overall quality of life in a region. The advantages of Metro Ethernet fall into several areas, including business growth, lifestyle improvements and government services enhancements.


 

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