Introducing Chorus Exchange Connect (CXC) Service 

Our intention is to build out backhaul services where you need them most. Please tell us if this new service is simple, compelling, and will meet your needs as we look to grandfather complex legacy products such as Commercial Backhaul. 

Summary of Changes

1. New backhaul product beyond POI to POI, subject to capacity & availability 
2. Bandwidth Managed 10G, 100G variants 
3. Dark extension with radial steps A: 0-10km, B:10-20km, C:20-40km 
4. 10G Single Fibre Working

What problem are we trying to solve here? 

We understand there is demand in market for backhaul services beyond POI to POI, and no current product meets this demand. This is where CXC comes in.  

The CXC Service will be available as a bandwidth managed variant or, if bandwidth managed capacity is not available, as a dark fibre extension subject to a feasibility test. 

CXC 10G and 100G Lit Services will: 

• Extend the Networks Connect portfolio beyond POIs to Local Exchanges. 
• Include the introduction of Single Fibre Working (SFW) for the 10G lit service 
• Introduce a consistent pricing methodology 
• Align with our planned network upgrades so the range of locations will grow over time as we upgrade our core network  
• Be subject to feasibility 

A CXC Dark Extension to the Lit Service will be offered (subject to feasibility) in exchanges not covered by Chorus’ DWDM network. We anticipate transitions to a fully lit service as we extend that DWDM network out further. 

Price for CXC Lit service will be based on an equipment recovery cost + actual fibre distance and will be priced on application by the Chorus Complex Solutions (CSS) team.  

For CXC Dark Extension, price will be based on ICABS methodology – note a radial distance of greater than 40km would require a further feasibility assessment.  

Price comparison for a selected link: 

How does this benefit you?

• An all in one backhaul product that meets your existing backhaul needs   
• Provides backhaul connectivity options across our extensive existing Layer 1 DWDM network 
• Consistent Pricing methodology across the Connect Portfolio to meet market needs
• Ability to use Chorus as a neutral provider of backhaul with no conflicts of interest 

Minor product implications

In addition to the envisaged grandfathering of Commercial Backhaul (more to come in the next few weeks), we note:

• The CXC Lit service supersedes ICABS Metro – we propose to stop-sell that product from the date of making CXC available, with a view to withdraw.
• CXC would be best suited to carry any copper traffic from a ‘first data switch’ exchange back to the POI – so we’ll look to streamline the Chorus Relay Connect product (to solely POI to POI) to reflect that in the coming weeks.

Action 

To help us understand more about what it might mean to your organisation, your feedback is critical to determining the initiative’s timing and priority, and how we can efficiently and effectively bring you the most value from the proposed change.

Please use this online feedback form by close of business 15 March 2023. The proposed product will also be announced at the March Product Forum along with the release of a draft Service Description, with consultation outcomes communicated on 29 March 2023 and via the April Product Forum.

Contact

Please contact Sergiy Kozakevych for more information or speak with your account team.