Ethernet-based transport to supplant Sonet/SDH?

Ethernet-based transport to supplant Sonet/SDH?

According to a new survey from Heavy reading, 60% of operators polled indicated they had already begun moving from Sonet/SDH to Ethernet, or would begin to do so in 2006. The move will create a new class of Ethernet optical transport networks (EOTNs). But Ethernet always face a problem of performance, so telcos are often loath to give up their Sonet/SDH network and management capabilities, as long as Ethernet alternative technologies are not ready. "Most operators believe Ethernet will in fact catch up soon, but standards work must be completed, performance demonstrated, and interoperability proven." For service providers, specially telcos and MSOs, the biggest drivers of new metro optical build-outs are business Ethernet services and triple/quadruple-play services, all services they bet on for revenue growth.