Lumen Tops AT&T, Spectrum Again in Carrier Ethernet Leaderboard

Lumen continues to lead the U.S. carrier Ethernet market, according to Vertical Systems Group.

VSG on Thursday presented its Mid-2021 U.S. Carrier Ethernet Leaderboard. AT&T trailed in second, followed by Spectrum Enterprise.

Lumen (formerly known as CenturyLink) has led this list since acquiring Level 3 Communications in 2017.

Source: Vertical Systems Group

The latest report continues to reflect hampered Ethernet growth in the U.S. market. As you might expect, COVID-19 played a role.

Vertical Systems Group’s Rick Malone

“Protracted effects of the pandemic throughout the U.S. continue to suppress expansion of Ethernet service installations. Commercial building workforce levels – a primary driver for bandwidth – remain lower than normal,” said Rick Malone, principal of Vertical Systems Group.

But more factors than the coronavirus are at play here. VSG pointed to hybrid SD-WAN solutions that are cutting into Ethernet access to MPLS services. However, many customers are using Ethernet-based dedicated internet access for SD-WAN underlays. VSG noted that Ethernet DIA and Ethernet-based wavelength services.

The leaderboard also features Verizon, Comcast, Cox and Windstream. All of these providers held more than 4% of the U.S. retail Ethernet port market as of June 30. According to VSG, Comcast enjoyed higher port share growth in the first half of 2021 than any other company.

The leaderboard has not changed since year-end 2019, except for Windstream and Cox swapping places. In addition, T-Mobile (Sprint) dropped out of the challenger tier.

VSG also noted that only Lumen and Verizon possess an MEF 3.0 carrier Ethernet certification.