The ETNA European consortium (Ethernet Transport Networks Architectures of Networking), made up of leading European technology companies and universities, has launched a two-year project to add pan-European Ethernet transport networks.
The goal of the ETNA project is to create a model architecture for a low cost pan-European Ethernet transport networks capable of serving millions of subscribers. It will also provide a common, reliable and secure Ethernet transport networks infrastructure for different services. The ETNA project is expected to last two years.
The ETNA Consortium will invest a total of €3.4 million, of which the European Commission will contribute €2.2 million. The ETNA consortium includes Nokia Siemens Networks Technologies, BT, Ethos Networks, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Helsinki University of Technology and Ernst & Young Israel.
The hope of the ETNA is that the Ethernet transport networks will deliver significant benefits for European citizens and businesses. Low cost, scalable and efficient Ethernet transport networks will enable the development of applications and create new opportunities for products and services.
The project will consist of the following steps:
• Define the requirements for nation-wide Ethernet transport networks.
• Research and develop architectures necessary to operate Ethernet transport networks in a cost-effective manner.
• Design the network capabilities to deliver services to residential, business and mobile subscribers.
• Investigate techno-economic models of such architectures.
The network will be based on Ethernet technology and capable of providing scalable point to point and multipoint services and support mobility in Ethernet transport networks.
