Global Ethernet Connectivity
International Ethernet Private Line (IEPL)
Dedicated, point-to-point Layer 2 Ethernet circuits between countries, delivered vendor-neutrally over diverse international routes and supported end to end by one team.
Request a QuoteTalk to a Network EngineerWhat is IEPL?
Because IEPL is transparent at Layer 2, your two locations behave like one extended LAN. You keep full control of IP addressing, routing and VLANs on your own equipment, while Delta Communications delivers and manages the international transport between them.
How an IEPL circuit works
An IEPL joins your two locations with one continuous, dedicated Ethernet service. Each end is reached by local access, and reserved international capacity carries your frames between countries over subsea and terrestrial cable systems.
Key features of our IEPL service
Dedicated, uncontended bandwidth
Capacity is reserved for you end to end, so throughput stays consistent at every hour of the day.
Layer 2 transparency
Customer VLAN tags (IEEE 802.1Q), Q-in-Q and control-plane protocols pass through unchanged, so your network design stays yours.
Standard Ethernet handoff
Electrical and optical Ethernet interfaces, including Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet and above, with no conversion equipment needed.
Predictable, low latency
A fixed path with no IP routing hops between sites gives stable latency and minimal jitter for real-time traffic.
Protection and diversity
Choose unprotected, protected or restorable circuits, with diverse cable systems for business-critical links.
Private and secure
Traffic is isolated on a dedicated circuit and never touches the public internet, reducing exposure to interception and DDoS.
Scalable bandwidth
Upgrade capacity as your traffic grows, usually without changing the physical handoff.
SLA-backed, monitored 24/7
Service levels for availability, latency and repair time, with proactive monitoring by our Network Operations Centre.
IEPL service specifications
Every IEPL is engineered per route. Available capacity, interfaces and protection depend on the two locations, and we confirm them in your quote.
| Service type | International Ethernet Private Line, aligned with the MEF E-Line service type (EPL; EVPL where several virtual circuits share one port) |
|---|---|
| Topology | Point-to-point; point-to-multipoint on request |
| Network layer | Layer 2 Ethernet: routing stays on your equipment |
| Transport technologies | Ethernet over SDH (GFP, VCAT and LCAS), Ethernet over MPLS (pseudowire) and Ethernet over DWDM, selected per route |
| Customer interfaces | Standard electrical and optical Ethernet ports (Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet and higher-speed options) |
| Frame transparency | Customer VLAN tags, Q-in-Q and Layer 2 control protocols carried transparently; jumbo frames on request |
| Resilience | Unprotected, protected (SDH path protection) or restorable; diverse routing on request |
| Service levels | Defined targets for availability, latency, jitter, frame loss and mean time to repair, per route |
| Delivery model | End-to-end (full circuit) or half circuit for licensed carriers |
| Operations | 24/7 NOC monitoring, proactive fault management and a single escalation path |
IEPL vs IPLC vs MPLS vs DIA
IEPL is one of several private and dedicated options. The right one depends on how many sites you connect and how much of the network you want to control.
| Service | What it is | Topology | Handoff | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IEPL | Dedicated Layer 2 Ethernet circuit between countries | Point-to-point | Ethernet | Data-centre interconnect, LAN extension between two international sites |
| IPLC | Dedicated international leased circuit, traditionally SDH-based | Point-to-point | SDH or Ethernet over SDH | Carriers and legacy TDM, voice and SDH-based links |
| MPLS IP-VPN | Carrier-managed Layer 3 private network | Any-to-any, many sites | Ethernet (routed) | Multi-site enterprise WANs with Class of Service |
| DIA | Dedicated, uncontended internet access | Site to internet | Ethernet (IP) | Internet, cloud and SaaS access with an SLA |
Comparing private lines in more depth? Read IPLC vs MPLS or MPLS vs SD-WAN.
Who uses IEPL
- Data-centre interconnect (DCI): replication, backup and active-active clusters between data centres in different countries.
- Multinational enterprises: extending the corporate LAN between headquarters and international offices with predictable performance.
- Carriers, ISPs and content providers: backhaul, upstream capacity and private interconnects between points of presence (connectivity for ISPs and carriers).
- Banks and financial institutions: secure, low-jitter links between trading, payment and disaster-recovery sites (banking & financial services).
- Energy and logistics operators: linking operations centres and regional hubs across borders (oil, gas & energy, logistics).
- Cloud and hybrid IT: private Ethernet paths towards cloud on-ramps and colocation facilities.
Why choose Delta Communications for IEPL
As a vendor-neutral provider, we design each IEPL across multiple top-tier carrier partners and cable systems, so every route gets the best path, diversity and commercials, under one contract and one SLA.
- Design: we map your endpoints, traffic and resilience needs, then propose route, interfaces and protection.
- Source: we compare carriers and cable systems for your route and select the best combination.
- Deploy: we manage ordering, local access, installation and end-to-end testing.
- Operate: our NOC monitors the circuit around the clock and manages faults with the underlying carriers for you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the full form of IEPL?
IEPL stands for International Ethernet Private Line: a dedicated point-to-point Ethernet circuit between two locations in different countries.
What is the difference between IEPL and IPLC?
Both are dedicated international point-to-point circuits. An IPLC is traditionally delivered over SDH and handed off as an SDH or TDM interface, while an IEPL is handed off as native Ethernet, so it connects directly to switches and routers and suits data and LAN extension.
Is IEPL a Layer 2 or Layer 3 service?
IEPL is a Layer 2 service. Delta transports your Ethernet frames between sites, and routing stays on your own equipment, unlike MPLS IP-VPN, where the carrier routes traffic at Layer 3.
What is the difference between IEPL and EPL?
EPL (Ethernet Private Line) is the general MEF term for a dedicated point-to-point Ethernet circuit. IEPL is an EPL that crosses international borders, typically over subsea and terrestrial cable systems.
Can I carry my own VLANs over an IEPL?
Yes. IEPL is transparent to customer VLAN tags, Q-in-Q and Layer 2 control protocols, so you can run multiple VLANs across one circuit.
When should I choose IEPL instead of MPLS?
Choose IEPL when you need a dedicated, predictable link between two key sites and want full control of routing. Choose MPLS when you connect many sites any-to-any and want the carrier to manage routing and Class of Service.
What protection options are available?
IEPL can be delivered unprotected, protected with a pre-provisioned standby path, or restorable over alternative capacity, with diverse cable systems available for critical links.
What SLAs apply to an IEPL?
Each IEPL carries defined service levels for availability, latency, jitter, frame loss and repair time, set per route, with 24/7 NOC support. Contact us for the targets on your route.
What do you need from me to quote an IEPL?
The two site addresses or data centres, the bandwidth you need, your preferred interface, the protection level and any latency requirement. We then confirm route, interfaces and service levels.
Need an international Ethernet private line?
Tell us your two locations and requirements, and our engineers will come back with vendor-neutral route options.
Request a Quote