BellSouth Managed Shared Frame Relay Service (MSFRS)


Service Description

BellSouth Managed Shared Frame Relay Service (MSFRS) is a connection oriented, fast packet access service used by carriers to aggregate traffic from multiple drops in a Local Access Transport Area (LATA) onto a single high-speed connection to interface with their own Frame Relay network. MSFRS includes the Frame Relay Port, Loop and Transport for a single price. The service is flat rated within Service Areas (SA), with mileage band-based pricing for connections outside the (SA).

BellSouth MSFRS is available in multiple Committed Information Rates (CIR) which allows the Customer to grow their Frame Relay network to meet their needs.

Benefits

Because of its flexibility in connecting multiple locations without dedicated point-to-point connections, Frame Relay can provide significant savings over leased line networks. With efficient "any-to-any" connectivity, Frame Relay requires fewer lines and ports.

Service Design

Customers can use BellSouth's network to aggregate Frame Relay traffic onto high capacity Network-to-Network Interfaces. BellSouth's Frame Relay Service allows you to manage your capacity efficiently and give your Customers the highest performance without having to make vast investments.

Availability

MSFRS is available throughout the BellSouth region using facilities to link the carrier's switch or end user to the BellSouth Frame Relay cloud.

With MSFRS, variable length frames or data packets are transported at the speeds listed below:

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56 Kbps (DS0) 320 Kbps 704 Kbps
64 Kbps (DS0) 384 Kbps 768 Kbps
112 Kbps 448 Kbps 1024 Kbps
128 Kbps 512 Kbps 1152 Kbps
192 Kbps 576 Kbps 1.536 Mbps (DS1)
256 Kbps 640 Kbps 44.736 Mbps (DS3)

Multiple PVCs can share a physical link or interface, providing a virtual mesh network architecture. MSFRS is composed of several elements which are listed below:

  • User Network Interfaces (UNIs)
  • Network-to-Network Interfaces (NNIs)
  • Data Link Connection Identifiers (DLCIs)
  • ISALs (Inter Service Area Links)
  • Extended connections for connections that do not fall within a SA

The connection from the end user premises to the BellSouth Frame Relay node terminates into a "fast packet" switch port configured as a User Network Interface (UNI). The connection between another carrier's Frame Relay network and the BellSouth Frame Relay node is terminated into a packet switch port configured as a Network-to-Network Interface (NNI). The interface points or addresses along the path of a PVC are called Data Link Connection Identifiers or DLCIs.

Pricing

MSFRS pricing and terms and conditions can be found in BellSouth’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Tariff No. 1, Section 21.

A discount plan is available for MSFRS. The Fast Packet Savings Plan (FSP) provides Customers credits on their bill in exchange for committing to a minimum level of total Fast Packet services revenue for a specified period of time. The FSP credits are earned for the aggregate revenue commitment rather than on a per-port basis. FSP terms are 3, 5, 7 and 12 years, and discounts range from 7% to 54%, depending on the term and revenue commitment. Furthermore, once selected, FSP rates will not increase due to any BellSouth-initiated rate increases for the term of the agreement. For more information regarding the FSP, see BellSouth’s FCC Tariff No. 1, Section 2.4.8.

Ordering

MSFRS may be ordered using the Ordering and Billing Forum’s (OBF) Access Service Request (ASR). To order BellSouth MSFRS, the Customer will submit the completed ASR to the BellSouth Interexchange Carrier Service Center (ICSC).

Note: MSFRS includes local channels and interoffice transport; they do not need to be ordered separately.