Equinix/Glowpoint agreement offers managed video services to carriers

HILLSIDE & FOSTER CITY, USA: Glowpoint Inc., a provider of managed services for telepresence and video conferencing, has signed an alliance agreement with Equinix, Inc., a provider of global data center services, to offer carriers direct access to Glowpoint’s managed video services through the Equinix Carrier Ethernet Exchange, the only private Layer 2 Carrier Ethernet Exchange that offers Ethernet-based services across North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

As part of the agreement, Glowpoint’s suite of managed video services and B2B video calling for telepresence and video conferencing will be readily available to carriers, who will be able to provide these services directly to their customers.

Glowpoint’s cloud-based infrastructure will be accessible to carriers and service providers throughout North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific through Equinix’s global platform that includes International Business Exchange (IBX) data centers in 35 markets, connecting more than 595 network carriers.

“Value-added services such as managed video conferencing and VOIP are catalysts in building critical-mass within the burgeoning Ethernet exchange marketplace,” said Rosemary Cochran, a principal at Vertical Systems Group. “The industry witnessed similar offerings in the early days of Internet peering and Vertical anticipates these services could help facilitate the adoption of broad-based Ethernet exchange services.”

Jim Poole, general manager of Global Networks, Mobility and Content for Equinix, said: “Our customers are seeking a solution that leverages their investment in network and access. This alliance with Glowpoint will help remove the complex and time-consuming challenges of establishing separate interconnection agreements with carriers and will give carriers instant access to managed video services through one connection, both simply and cost-effectively.”

“We are very excited to extend the reach of Glowpoint’s managed video services via Equinix’s vast carrier base,” said Anil Balani, Glowpoint’s senior vice president of Product Development. “This alliance will enable companies to access a full suite of award-winning, managed services and B2B video communications with a degree of scalability unseen until now.”