As a WAN technology it seems that the curtains are beginning to close on frame relay.

Qwest Communications recently eliminated it’s promotions on this technology – making the cost of frame relay almost cost prohibitive for customers.  Today you can get an MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) T-1 with a new programmed Adtran router, installed (or delivered to you for a self – plug and play install at the very least)  for about the same price as you can get a frame relay T-1 (no router).  This was bound to happen, as many companies have already migrated their frame relay networks over to the newer MPLS networks over the last 4-5 years. 

With many now using IP PBX phone systems the requirement of a packet switched network with prioritized label capabilities has been essential to running voice as an application on the network.  There are many providers of IP PBX solutions, here’s one I like in the Rocky Mt. Region.  Another option is to look at a hosted IP PBX from Teleshere.  For those of you that read the first sentence in this paragraph and shook your head, it’s OK – it’s taken me 20+ years to grasp some of this stuff.  If you ever want to have fun take a look at all of the crazy terms in Newton’s Telecom Dictionary.  All the acronyms will make your head spin.  The telecommunications and IT industry are number one when it comes to acronym use – it’s really another language.

If you have a frame relay network it might be time to analyze and compare cost.  It’s been my experience that when older technology begins to die, the support for those technologies dies with it.  It’s no fun to be caught with an old network that’s not working – then when you need support the one person that gets it is on vacation.  Get with a good carrier agnostic agency and begin the process to migrate away from Frame Relay - now’s the time!