While the ethernet market has been growing at a breakneck pace, the full potential has yet to be realised Global data centre operator, Equinix, has launched the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange, a global service that enables the exchange of data traffic between different providers of ethernet services.

Telstra International Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) has formed a partnership with South African company, Internet Solutions, that will expand the reach of both parties' MPLS network coverage. In particular it will enable Telstra to provide better connectivity into Africa for its multinational corporate customers.

You’d have to be bird-brained to think that South Africa’s broadband speeds are anything but atrocious, after a carrier pigeon strapped with a data card beat the country’s leading internet service provider.

Reliance Globalcom is boasting of strong growth for its global managed network service, developed from the business of the former Vanco virtual global network operator, acquired in May 2008.

Major players in the global telecommunications network services market are competing fiercely to move up the value chain with announcements of new initiatives appearing in rapid succession. Now Orange Business Services is staking its claim for leadership in a new, emerging market: the provision and support for machine-to-machine communications across national boundaries for multinational corporations.

BT has launched its MPLS-based Intelligent Virtual Private Network (iVPN) service in 172 countries, billing it as the first service for global enterprise customers launched on its global 21CN network.

One area of telecoms that does not seem to have been hit by the world's financial troubles is the global networking industry, with AT&T the latest global player to announce plans for major investment in its network during 2009.

Verizon Business is rolling out a new single-source model for the procurement of customer premises equipment (CPE) and other support services in 122 countries and territories that it says will provide multinational enterprises with a simpler, cost-effective way to build, support and manage their global networks.

Since Specsavers, the largest privately owned optical group in the world, entered the Australian retail market last year it has rolled out 163 retail stores, all with broadband Internet access for connections to head office. To achieve this it has relied on the multicarrier approach provided by Reliance Globalcom.

After investing $US17.2b in 2008 to expand its global network, Verizon Business says it is planning further expansion during 2009 in nearly every part of the world.