CenturyLink Communications UK Limited

Colt Ethernet

Colt Ethernet is a transparent Layer 2 service and provides connectivity to customers between two sites.
Colt Ethernet Services are provided on a physical port (EPL) based on a simple service to port mapping.
Port–based services are transparent to customer VLANs or Ethernet frames with headers containing multiple VLAN tags.

Features

• Speeds from 2Mbps throughput to 100Gbps
• Metro, National and International coverage
• Unprotected, Protected Resilience Options
• Diversity option
• Off-Net access using a range of partner access types
• Real time reporting
• Link Loss Forwarding
• Customer interface redundancy (LAG)
• MACSec encryption option
• Pro-active monitoring and customer notification

Benefits

• Coverage: 32K+ connected buildings, 1100+ connected DCs in 37 countries.
• Business continuity: Redundant architecture with comprehensive resilience and service diversity
• Cost Efficiency: pay what you need with large bandwidth options
• Performance: high performance service, guaranteed bandwidth backed with strong SLA
• Scalability: chose your bandwidth from 2Mbps up to 100Gbps
• Agility: Efficiency, competitive lead times, rapid bandwidth upgrades, Colt portals.
• Security: secure your traffic with end-to-end MACSec encryption

£162 to £1,356 a unit

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at conor.mcevoy@colt.net. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

500963493589017

Contact

Conor McEvoy
07917 077693
conor.mcevoy@colt.net

Service scope

• Service constraints: No specific constraints.
• System requirements: No specific system requirements.

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: The global fault help desk is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers can report a fault at any time by contacting the Customer Service Centre and speaking to a representative in their local language (Japanese and English in Asia).
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: None or don’t know
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Web chat support: No
• Onsite support: Onsite support
• Support levels: Different levels of support are available - Platinum, Gold, Silver; Customers are supported by both a commercial account manager and a technical sales engineer
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: User documentation is delivered along with the customer contract pack which includes Service Descriptions, SLA documents, Terms & Conditions
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats: PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: Not applicable - this service is for network connectivity
• End-of-contract process: At the end of the contract, the connectivity service is shut down and the device installed in the customer premise is removed.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Using the web interface: On Demand Services are part of our SDN-enabled portfolio and include many customer benefits:; ; - Full control over their network with feature rich self-service portal, or direct API integration; - Real time circuit provisioning – service deployment in minutes (instead of days or weeks); - Scaling bandwidth in real time – circuit bandwidths can be upgraded in minutes, or temporarily boosted to meet urgent short term demand; - Flexible Commercial models – customers can choose from a traditional pricing model or a next generation On Demand model which offers maximum commercial flexibility; - Cloud connectivity provisioning – offering real time connectivity into the Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google, Oracle and IBM clouds with a network service experience that can match the cloud experience
• Web interface accessibility standard: None or don’t know
• How the web interface is accessible: Via a self-service portal
• Web interface accessibility testing: Not applicable
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: Users can perform the following functions via the API; - order/provision network connectivity services (Ethernet, IP); - change service parameters e.g. bandwidth in real time; - cancel services; - order/provision cloud connectivity services
• API automation tools: Other
• Other API automation tools: Standard HTTP based RESTful API delivered with TLS
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats: PDF
• Command line interface: No

Scaling

• Scaling available: No
• Independence of resources: Colt proactively manages its backbone network to ensure that capacity is available for all customers. An upgrade of the underlying core capacity is triggered if a predefined utilisation threshold is reached.
• Usage notifications: No

Analytics

• Infrastructure or application metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Network
• Reporting types: Real-time dashboards

Resellers

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Up to Developed Vetting (DV)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations: Other locations
• User control over data storage and processing locations: No
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 3.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
• Protecting data at rest: Physical access control, complying with SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type: Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
• Equipment disposal approach: A third-party destruction service

Backup and recovery

• Backup and recovery: No

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: Private network or public sector network
• Data protection within supplier network: Other
• Other protection within supplier network: Encryption services are available as an add-on feature which increases the security offered to individual customer services

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: Ethernet metro/national/international services :; On-net: 99.95% (Protected) / 99.9% (Unprotected); Off-net Tier 1: 99.85% (Protected) / 99.7% (Unprotected); Off-net Tier 2: 99.8% (Protected) / 99.7% (Unprotected); ; Penalties: ; > 0.0% ≤ 0.5%: 5% of the MRC; > 0.5% ≤ 1.0%: 10% (except offnet Tier 2: 5%) of MRC; > 1.0% ≤ 1.5%: 15% (except offnet Tier 2: 5%) of MRC; > 1.5%: 20% (except offnet Tier 2: 5%) of MRC
• Approach to resilience: Our backbone network is designed with multiple separated routes to ensure that connected cities can be reached via different paths. Ethernet services are delivered over a Segment Routed MPLS network and EVC are routed using the lowest latency path. In case of failure, the traffic is rerouted using the next available route in less than 5ms thanks to the TI-LFA protocol. All our Ethernet services benefit from this protected backbone mechanism.
• Outage reporting: Colt Ethernet services include a proactive notification service, which means that Colt proactively monitors the service and notify customers of any service-affecting faults (Service Down) via e-mail. A fault ticket is raised automatically and the customer is sent regular updates fault repair progress.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication: Other
• Other user authentication: There is no direct user authentication for the use of the network services- once the service is delivered then the use of the service is under the customer's own control. If the service is accessed via the On Demand portal then there is Username/Password authentication
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: All services are managed via a dedicated Operations Centre team using a dedicated, secure Network Management System. There is no access permitted to customers/buyers
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication: 2-factor authentication
• Devices users manage the service through: Dedicated device on a segregated network (providers own provision)

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: No audit information available
• Access to supplier activity audit information: No audit information available
• How long system logs are stored for: Between 1 month and 6 months

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001: BSI
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: 27/04/2022
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: Not applicable
• ISO 28000:2007 certification: No
• CSA STAR certification: Yes
• CSA STAR accreditation date: 29/06/2015
• CSA STAR certification level: Level 1: CSA STAR Self-Assessment
• What the CSA STAR doesn’t cover: Not applicable
• PCI certification: Yes
• Who accredited the PCI DSS certification: Schellman
• PCI DSS accreditation date: 25/10/2017
• What the PCI DSS doesn’t cover: Specific customer environments – The certification is of Colt's vendor as a service provider. The ROS and AOC are available on request.
• Cyber essentials: Yes
• Cyber essentials plus: Yes
• Other security certifications: No

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards:
  • ISO/IEC 27001
  • Other
• Other security governance standards: Cyber Essentials +
• Information security policies and processes: Colt applies industry best practices as identified by the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) and the Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) to its security and Business Continuity Management System (BCMS) for resiliency of its; functions.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: Colt operates an ITIL based Change Management process for the network infrastructure that supports its connectivity services.; This process ensures that changes are recorded, evaluated, authorised, prioritised, planned, tested, documented and reviewed in a controlled manner. This allows for:; Changes to be implemented with minimum disruption; Priority to be given to urgent change requests; Changes to implemented in a controlled and timely manner ; Planned configuration change schedules to be met; Minimising the chances of failed configuration changes ; Detailed Assessment and Management of risk; ; The scope of Configuration Change management includes all Colt services, network, infrastructure, customers and users
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: Colt maintains a vulnerability management process that is aligned to The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) and provides a way to capture the principal characteristics of a vulnerability and produce a numerical score reflecting its severity. The numerical score is then translated into a qualitative representation ( low, medium, high, and critical) to help assess and prioritize issues identified in the vulnerability management processes.; ; Colt maintains scanning for vulnerabilities of all of its different asset types and can deploy critical patches within 48 hours. Threat information is supplied commercial companies, vendors, government and regulatory agencies
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: Systems (e.g., servers, applications, databases) maintain internal controls for auditing, tracking, and personal accountability. Security logs for high-risk systems are sent to the centralized log monitoring system or Security Incident and Event Management (SIEM) system for continuous systematic review of anomalous behaviour and compliance reporting. Response to critical incidents is progressed on a real time basis.
• Incident management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Incident management approach: Colt maintains an incident management process that takes logging events and various threat detection and prevention systems that inspect network traffic for malicious activity. These two methods combined provide the basis for the CIRT Program to gain visibility throughout the enterprise environment to detect cyber threats and respond accordingly. ; Once a cyber threat has been identified or reported to the CIRT, security operations conducts incident scope identification, containment, remediation, and recovery actions. The objective for the CIRT Program is to ensure rapid detection and response to cyber threats and limit risk of data exposure or loss of services to customers.

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Conforms to a recognised standard, but self-assessed

Separation between users

• Virtualisation technology used to keep applications and users sharing the same infrastructure apart: Yes
• Who implements virtualisation: Supplier
• Virtualisation technologies used: Other
• Other virtualisation technology used: Segment Routing, VLAN and VRF
• How shared infrastructure is kept separate: VRF and logical circuit separation using VLANs are the main technologies used to separate customers using the same infrastructure

Energy efficiency

• Energy-efficient datacentres: Yes
• Description of energy efficient datacentres: Colt has developed a Global Reference Design (GRD) framework which outlines design requirements to develop and operate resilient and more sustainable data centres into the future

Social Value

• Social Value:

  Social Value

  • Fighting climate change
  • Covid-19 recovery
  • Tackling economic inequality
  • Equal opportunity
  • Wellbeing

  Fighting climate change

  "Climate change is a key pillar of our corporate sustainability strategy. As a large company with worldwide activities, we want to lead by example when working with our suppliers, partners, customers and communities to reduce our impact on the environment. In 2023, Colt Group received approval from the SBTI for our updated near-term science-based target (SBT). These targets are now set on a baseline that includes Well-To-Tank (WTT) emissions for relevant Scope 3 categories and splits the emissions by two different entities: Colt and Colt DCS. We also submitted a long-term net-zero target for 2045, aligned to the new SBTi net-zero standard.; ; Colt Group's main initiatives to achieve our net-zero target include committing to procure renewable power and achieve 100% Scope 2 renewable electricity for all sites globally by 2030. We will reduce indirect emissions by finding alternatives to travel and encourage colleagues to choose better travel options for the environment. We are also decarbonising our in-house fleet through electrification and investing in green innovations such as Carbon Capture and Storage, as well as focusing on circularity initiatives to reduce waste within our network. We run a dedicated supplier programme covering a wide ESG agenda with a special focus on our top suppliers in terms of emissions. To achieve our Scope 3 target, we have committed to engage with 93% of our suppliers by emissions (covering purchased goods and services and capital goods) to set Scope 1 and 2 science-based targets approved by Science Based Target Initiative (SBTi) by 2025.; ; Colt Group's current targets do not include the Lumen EMEA assets acquired in 2023: The acquisition has been finalised and we are in the process of integrating teams and their data. The integration of data and subsequent resubmission of Science Based Targets is planned in 2024/25."

  Covid-19 recovery

  Colt was very proactive in supporting customers during the Covid-19 epidemic and has continued to support customers and employees during the subsequent recovery phase.

  Tackling economic inequality

  "Colt’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) strategy is to build an innovative, great and inclusive place to work. We have four DEI pillars:; ; • Governance & Impact - Ensure we have the governance in place to deliver on our inclusion goals and we collaborate for wider impact that we develop our leaders as inclusive role models.; • Leadership & culture – develop our leaders as inclusive role models and drive an inclusive culture where we can harness diversity of thought for greater success.; • Diverse Representation - Improve the diversity of our workplace, ensuring we represent the communities that we serve.; • Equitable Business Practices - Employ equitable business practices that improve the employee experience and affect positive change in the wider world.; ; Our Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policy makes our approach clear and explains our governance structures and our commitment to equal opportunities. It also outlines our zero tolerance approach to discrimination, bullying and harassment. One of the ways we ensure equal opportunities is by building inclusion into our people processes from the beginning. We have worked to make our recruitment process more inclusive by introducing a tool to reduce bias in language used in job adverts. We’ve also introduced training for hiring managers and checklists to be used to mitigate bias when hiring. We also raise awareness of bias during other people process such as performance management and make clear how managers need to be aware and mitigate for bias by inviting diverse thoughts and positive challenge from their peers. ; In addition, we have a five year strategy to improve accessibility within the company – both physical and digital accessibility. This also covers how we communicate and our employee and customer journeys. This is available publicly on our website"

  Equal opportunity

  "Colt’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) strategy is to build an innovative, great and inclusive place to work. We have four DEI pillars:; ; • Governance & Impact - Ensure we have the governance in place to deliver on our inclusion goals and we collaborate for wider impact that we develop our leaders as inclusive role models.; • Leadership & culture – develop our leaders as inclusive role models and drive an inclusive culture where we can harness diversity of thought for greater success.; • Diverse Representation - Improve the diversity of our workplace, ensuring we represent the communities that we serve.; • Equitable Business Practices - Employ equitable business practices that improve the employee experience and affect positive change in the wider world.; ; Our Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion policy makes our approach clear and explains our governance structures and our commitment to equal opportunities. It also outlines our zero tolerance approach to discrimination, bullying and harassment. One of the ways we ensure equal opportunities is by building inclusion into our people processes from the beginning. We have worked to make our recruitment process more inclusive by introducing a tool to reduce bias in language used in job adverts. We’ve also introduced training for hiring managers and checklists to be used to mitigate bias when hiring. We also raise awareness of bias during other people process such as performance management and make clear how managers need to be aware and mitigate for bias by inviting diverse thoughts and positive challenge from their peers. ; In addition, we have a five year strategy to improve accessibility within the company – both physical and digital accessibility. This also covers how we communicate and our employee and customer journeys. This is available publicly on our website"

  Wellbeing

  At Colt we prioritise the wellbeing of our employees by offering a comprehensive range of initiatives and support systems. In every country where we operate, we provide an Employee Assistance Programme to ensure that our employees have access to confidential counseling and support services when needed. Additionally, we have established a global network of Mental Health First Aiders who are trained to provide initial support and assistance to colleagues facing mental health challenges. Moreover, our Health & Safety team works diligently to maintain safe working environments and provide essential training, including rolling out first aiders to all of our offices. Working in tandem with our Business Continuity team, we are committed to maintaining operational resilience and ensuring continuity of support even in challenging circumstances. Guided by a global wellbeing policy, our organisation fosters a culture of support and inclusivity, with resources, information, and educational materials available through our Wellbeing Academy and intranet page. We empower employee networks and global employee ambassadors to lead wellbeing-related events, sessions, and initiatives, fostering a culture of support and inclusivity within Colt. Furthermore, our CSR team is committed to giving back to the communities we operate in, ensuring that our impact extends beyond the workplace. Together, these initiatives demonstrate our commitment to creating a healthy, supportive, and socially responsible environment for all our employees.

Pricing

• Price: £162 to £1,356 a unit
• Discount for educational organisations: No
• Free trial available: No

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at conor.mcevoy@colt.net. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.