There has been a great deal of standards activity over the past several years to convert Ethernet to a carrier-grade service. As Ethernet evolves from a best-effort service to one that carries mission-critical enterprise applications, Ethernet SLAs and their verification are critical. As a best-effort service, Ethernet appealed to early adopters that valued low price over other considerations. For Ethernet to move into the mainstream and replace existing frame relay and private line services, it must be sold with SLAs, which are backed up with financial penalties. Recent standards activities have put in place tools and methodologies to measure Ethernet performance and, as a result, many carriers are now selling Ethernet services with SLAs. This session will discuss Ethernet SLAs from standards, carrier positioning, and equipment perspectives.

Mark Lum Independent Consultant Optical, Metro, Ethernet, and Storage Networks and Services

Mr. Lum, M.A. M.Sc., is a consultant focusing on optical, metro, Ethernet, and storage networks and services, with experience spanning SDH/SONET, DWDM, OTN, ATM, and Ethernet technologies and their associated global standards development. His clients include service providers, equipment manufacturers, start-ups, and the investment community.

Eric Ortheau Product Manager, Network Solutions InfoVista

Mr. Ortheau is responsible for defining innovative solutions to manage next-generation networks and new technologies. He spent 15 years in the OSS industry, holding a variety of positions in departments such as research and development, business development, and marketing.

Phil Tilley Vice President, EMEA Marketing, Fixed Networks Division Alcatel-Lucent

Mr. Tilley's responsibilities include developing the market awareness of Alcatel-Lucent's IP product portfolio, working with service providers to ensure success with their business services portfolio, and building the required IP skills in Alcatel-Lucent to support a market-leading IP portfolio. He has more than 15 years of engineering and marketing experience. Mr. Tilley has worked closely with many carriers throughout Europe, advising on the latest market trends and how these carriers can bring the technologies to market in a user-centric manner. He is a regular presenter and chairman in industry conferences.

Alex Watson-Jackson Director of Operations Exponential-e

Mr. Watson-Jackson joined Exponential-e in August 2005 to refine and develop their product management function. Since beginning his role, he has launched the PowerVoice range of services, which incorporates four voice offerings, the PowerWAN Link virtual private LAN service, and the 802.3ah Ethernet in the last mile service. Mr. Watson-Jackson has a bachelor's degree in electronic systems and gained 10 years of experience in managing engineering teams before spending the past 10 years in sales and marketing roles.

Johannes Weingart Director of Business Development, Ethernet Access ADVA Optical Networking

Mr. Weingart has the overall responsibility for developing and executing the EMEA go-to-market strategy for the company's innovative Ethernet access portfolio. Previously, he worked for BT Global Services, where he was responsible for the launch of BT's Global Ethernet Service Portfolio. Prior to that, Mr. Weingart held various positions in Siemens, including SDH equipment and system development, product management for network management systems, and network operation consulting.