Innovative? You Betcha!

Like any other industry, the telecom industry is keen on giving awards to those participants  who are doing something different or unique, something “innovative.” The problem is that in the tech/telecom industries in particular we’re quick to throw “innovative” around when it doesn’t always apply. I came to this realization after I jokingly referred to my 2 ½  year old son falling down a flight of stairs as an “innovative” way of getting down – sorta’ funny to me – mostly appalling to my wife and all others present.  It was like five stairs – give me a break! Needless to say, it got me to thinking about what being “innovative” really means. Without further ado, here it is:

According to Wikipedia (I know, grumble grumble grumble), “Innovation is the creation of better or more effective products, processes, technologies, or ideas that are accepted by markets, governments, and society.” Do tell. “Innovation differs from invention in that innovation refers to the use of a new idea or method.” So, different or unique ideas are only innovative if they are accepted and used? Now THAT makes sense.

For those keeping track, my son falling down the stairs was funny (even he laughed people!), but not “innovative” as this is NOT a generally accepted or practiced means of getting down the stairs.

So, as you can imagine, when I read that Neutral Tandem / Tinet had won Capacity Magazines’ 2011 award for Best Market Innovation, naturally I thought, “I’ll be the judge of that!” My first “innovation snob” test – how exciting. And guess what? A dead ringer!

The award recognizes innovations in wholesale telecom, how these have been implemented, and how these services have been received by the market. The judging panel consisted of the senior editorial team of Capacity magazine and a panel of telecoms analysts and industry experts. The pre-qualifications for the award met the definition and with nearly 200 customers (and climbing) singing its praises, Neutral Tandem / Tinet’s innovative (and I mean that) EtherCloud^SM solution knocked it right down the stairs. I’ll keep this in until someone edits it out.

Innovation Exemplified:

Neutral Tandem / Tinet is recognized for its innovative EtherCloud solution. Developed earlier this year, in response to the heavy market demand, Neutral Tandem and Tinet collaborated to develop this solution that delivers end-to-end global Ethernet solutions, interconnecting diverse networks. EtherCloud simplifies the delivery of Ethernet and VPLS services on a global scale, while removing all hurdles that are required to interconnect networks across a global footprint. Standard Ethernet Exchange platforms provide access to Points of Presence that are managed in isolation of all other access points.  Connectivity between each PoP has to be stitched together by various providers, which requires negotiating additional commercial terms and interoperability testing with each provider.  With EtherCloud, 120 PoPs across the world are interconnected, providing customers located in one location the ability to access network solutions offered by every other provider connected to any point on the EtherCloud platform.

"We designed the service to deliver a compelling value proposition: to simplify and streamline customers' off-net interconnections, to extend their network reach and to market their local Ethernet services to customers worldwide," said Paolo Gambini, Chief Marketing Officer of Tinet. "The offering is further strengthened by end-to-end SLAs to meet the demands of enterprise customers. We are honored to be recognized by Capacity Media for this achievement."

To learn more about EtherCloud, visit http://www.tinet.net/products/ethercloud.html.

To learn more about Neutral Tandem’s products and services designed to help competitive carriers interconnect their networks, contact info@NeutralTandem.com or visit www.neutraltandem.com.