Mplify updates Carrier Ethernet certification portfolio

Mplify detailed an enhanced Carrier Ethernet certification portfolio that provided a transition path for Model Evaluation Framework (MEF) 3.0 Carrier Ethernet certified members and extended certification coverage to business connectivity, Network as a Service (NaaS) for Artificial Intelligence (AI), and agentic AI transport.

The organization said the updated program preserved continuity with MEF 3.0 while maintaining independent validation and market recognition for certified members, and that the expanded portfolio addressed growing enterprise demand for automated, performance-assured connectivity and greater transparency within the global Network as a Service (NaaS) ecosystem.

Carrier Ethernet for AI certification was described as a validation of transport performance required to support AI workloads across geographically distributed, multi-provider environments, providing independent third-party validation, alignment with current Carrier Ethernet standards, and interoperability to demonstrate reliable, flexible, and efficient connectivity. Carrier Ethernet for Business certification validated standardized point-to-point and multipoint Carrier Ethernet services, offering independent assurance that services and technologies met industry-defined standards for performance and operational consistency.

The release said Carrier Ethernet for Business was available immediately and that Carrier Ethernet for AI availability was targeted for the second quarter, 2026. It described the evolved certifications as a rebranding of MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet certification with an optional yearly retest and updated test records, a maintenance program that required a one-time payment plus a predictable annual maintenance fee with optional retesting, a public Carrier Ethernet Certification Registry, testing managed by Iometrix, and defined participation paths for MEF 3.0 certified members and organizations new to Carrier Ethernet certification.

“Carrier Ethernet has powered reliable business connectivity for over two decades. Its global footprint and extensive interconnections position it to play a critical role in AI transport alongside wavelength-based connectivity,” said Kevin Vachon, COO, Mplify. “As AI-driven services scale, service and technology providers need ongoing validation to demonstrate that networks can support both mainstream business requirements and emerging AI transport demands. Mplify’s Carrier Ethernet certifications validate real-world readiness through performance, conformance, and deployment at scale.”

Carrier Ethernet for AI availability was targeted for the second quarter, 2026.