360networks Unveils Metro Ring Strategy

Global carrier 360networks plans to install metro rings in more than 35 cities worldwide by the middle of 2001.

The carrier will develop the ring networks through a combination of construction projects, network capacity exchanges, purchases, and leases with other telecommunications carriers.

360networks will soon be providing service on metro rings in Seattle, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, and Calgary. The company is also deploying metropolitan networks in Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Denver, New Orleans, Sacramento, and Albany. Another seven metro rings are currently under development in Washington, DC, Detroit, Minneapolis, Portland, Atlanta, Miami, and San Diego.

In Europe, the company is lighting networks in 11 European cities, including London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, and Paris. In addition, 360networks is in negotiations to acquire dark fiber on metro rings in Munich, Stuttgart, Berlin, and Dusseldorf.

As a result of a recent fiber swap with Impsat, 360networks acquired network capacity in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paulo. The company is also negotiating to augment its presence in these South American cities through network fiber-capacity exchanges.

Through its strategic relationship with C2C (a SingTel subsidiary), 360networks has the option to obtain back-haul capacity in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. The carrier also has plans to develop metro rings in Asia.