The Metro Ethernet Forum (MEF) and IIR Conferences have announced a new event to be called the 'Carrier Ethernet World Congress', which is intended to be the premier annual gathering for the rapidly expanding Metro Ethernet community. The event will incorporate a three-day conference, in addition to an exhibition and Interoperability showcase.  This event is aimed at a global audience of incumbent and competitive service providers, as well as equipment vendors, component suppliers and integrators. The first Carrier Ethernet World Congress will take place in Berlin, Germany from 12 to 16 September, 2005.

"With over 60 members working together from the vendor, carrier, and service provider communities, the MEF has successfully brought ‘Carrier Ethernet’ to market maturity", explains Nan Chen, MEF president. "The Carrier Ethernet World Congress is an exciting opportunity for us to showcase the breadth of industry support for Carrier Ethernet, and to demonstrate cost effective real world solutions our members have rolled out to satisfied customers worldwide".

According to market research firm Infonetics, worldwide Ethernet equipment revenue in metro networks totaled US$3bn in 2003, and is projected to grow 157% to US$7.7bn in 2007. Furthermore, Infonetics predicts that close to US$25bn will be spent worldwide on Ethernet in metro networks between 2003 and 2007. In fact, every year over the next 10 years, Ethernet will account for a larger portion of metro capital expenditures, driving double-digit growth through 2007. (source: Infonetics’ Metro Ethernet Equipment Report, July 2004).

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