TMA Telecoms outfit neosnetworks hopes to cut BT's leased-line prices in half with faster services built on what is believed to be the first deployment of a long-haul Ethernet network in the UK.

Manchester-based ISP C2i is using long-haul 10Mbps Ethernet services based on neosnet, neosnetwork's backbone network, to extend its services cost-effectively to London, a distance of around 200 miles.

neosnet is based on Nortel Optera optical switches and Riverstone's RS 8600 and RS 3000 Layer 2 switch routers. On the back of the network neosnetworks is offering point to point LAN extensions targeted at corporates, and point to point Ethernet transport aimed at ISPs and ASPs.

Precise pricing wasn't available on neosnetwork's services and undercutting BT is no big deal but the technology in use is interesting. ®