I am in India, where the MEF (Metro Ethernet Forum) is hosting two seminars on Carrier Ethernet services. One was held two days ago in Mumbai and the other is taking place today in Bangalore. What’s refreshing about these seminars is that they are centered on real case studies of enterprise pain points and how they’ve been solved. Real-life cases are being presented on everything from medical scan files sent across the globe for physicians’ evaluation, to retail fashion chain inventory communications, to international law firm data sharing and storage. The presentations are then followed by panel discussions and Q&A from the attendees.
The MEF, known primarily for its development of Carrier Ethernet technical specifications and implementation agreements to promote interoperability, is now moving into the educational space, working to accelerate the worldwide adoption of Carrier Ethernet. Seminars like the ones here in India will play an important role in this initiative. The events in Mumbai and Bangalore attracted more than 100 attendees – mainly from enterprise players – and were very interactive, with many questions on topics ranging from cloud computing to high-bandwidth microwave. The MEF also announced that it will soon launch a MEF certification program that’s aimed at salespeople and other less technically oriented professionals.
With a government plan to connect an increasing number of rural areas with fiber and a booming mobile communications industry, India is one of the fastest growing markets today. During the event, the president of Tata Communications, India & South Asia, indicated that the company is targeting the very large retail market segment, offering communications to almost any point in the world using their own fiber or that of their partners, bringing end-to-end services with SLAs anywhere.
All in all, it’s been a good and interesting week!
Orly NahumHead of Solution & Product Marketing Department
ECI Telecom