BT has today announced the launch of its Wholesale Ethernet service, which will be based off its 21st Century Network (21CN) platform and initially offer speeds of up to 1Gbps.

Access speed ranges will also increase from the current offer of 10Mbit/s, 100Mbit/s and 1Gbit/s to include 10Gbit/s. At launch, the service will be available from over 100 Ethernet nodes across the UK, progressively rising to more than 600 by spring 2009.

The service allows communications providers to benefit from the cost efficiencies of Ethernet and the lower costs generated by 21CN, providing a cost effective networking service to complement or replace the leased lines and traditional data services that are otherwise used by fixed and mobile operators to connect sites.