1. Current State and Termination Issues of Frame Relay Services
Japan Meteorological Agency
Presented by Tatsuya Noyori
Expert Team on WIS-GTS
Communication Techniques and Structure
(TOULOUSE, France, MAY 2008)

2. 1. Current status of circuits at RTH Tokyo
Currently, one IP-VPN network and two Frame Relay networks are connected with RTH Tokyo. The IP-VPN network is RMDCN that is served by Orange Business Services. And, one Frame Relay network is served by British Telecom, another Frame Relay network is served by KDDI.

3. 2. Detailed configuration of GTS circuits connected with KDDI Frame Relay network
This is the detailed configuration of the GTS circuits connected with KDDI Frame Relay network.
The network is complicated. Centers are connected with their own Frame Relay network and have a contract with their own carriers.

4. 3. Trend of Frame Relay Services
JMA was advised by KDDI, that it planed to discontinue its Frame Relay Network Service. As shown in the previous section, the network is very complex, thus it is not simple to migrate to a good alternate. JMA has investigated any possibilities to find a good solution. It is essential that the GTS connections will not be interrupted at all.
Such termination of frame relay services is not a problem unique to Japan. According to Informal information, a number of other telecommunication companies are also planning to close their frame relay services partly because the decrease of users of frame relay services and partly because difficulties in maintenance of equipment for frame relay services. Some telecommunication companies do not accept new customers any more at present, even if they have not formally announced termination of frame relay services. As an alternate to frame relay services, IP-VPN services are recommended.
JMA was advised by KDDI, that it planed to discontinue its Frame Relay Network Service. As shown in the previous section, the network is very complex, thus it is not simple to migrate to a good alternate. JMA has investigated any possibilities to find a good solution. It is essential that the GTS connections will not be interrupted at all.
Such termination of frame relay services is not a problem unique to Japan. According to Informal information, a number of other telecommunication companies are also planning to close their frame relay services partly because the decrease of users of frame relay services and partly because difficulties in maintenance of equipment for frame relay services. Some telecommunication companies do not accept new customers any more at present, even if they have not formally announced termination of frame relay services. As an alternate to frame relay services, IP-VPN services are recommended.

5. Thank you