Wholesale: Products & Services

Resale - Frame Relay Service (FRS) - V25.0

Product Description

CenturyLink's retail telecommunication service, Frame Relay Service (FRS), is available for resale by Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) to their end-users. Additional information about resale of CenturyLink's retail services can be found in the Resale General Product Catalog (PCAT).

FRS provides high-speed access to and within Local Area Networks (LANs). Utilizing digital technology, FRS uses statistical multiplexing to allow your end-user to allocate circuit bandwidth to applications as needed, up to the maximum bandwidth purchased rather than assigning fixed channels to specific applications. FRS can support transmission speeds up to 44.736 megabits Per Second (Mbps).

Access to FRS is accomplished via a Frame Relay Access Link, Digital Data Service (DDS) 56 or 64 kilobits Per Second (Kbps) circuit, Private Line Transport Service Digital Service Level 1 (DS1) or a channel of a Digital Service Level 3 (DS3).

FRS requires the use of end-user terminal equipment that functions as a multiplexer, bridger, or router. This equipment must be purchased separately from FRS and must conform to industry standards. This equipment accumulates your end-user's data, formats it into a Frame Relay (FR) format and then transmits it over the Advanced Communication Service (ACS) Network.

The components that make up FRS are:

• Network Interface - Point that an end-user's data transmission first enters the network. This is the point of connection between CenturyLink's facility and the end-user's terminal equipment.
• Access Link - Either a connection facility for the end-user's network interface to the corresponding CenturyLink Frame Relay Port, or connection to another Frame Relay network facility at the network interface with an Information Transfer Service element.
• Network-To-Network Information Transfer (NNIT) -Is available only on a 4-wire basis. The NNIT transfers information between the ACS FRS network and another FRS network. The NNIT includes the associated port, unidirectional PVCs, and ACS Frame Relay switching equipment. It provides bidirectional polling between the ACS FRS network and the other FRS network.
• Port - Physical entry point for Access Links and the originating and terminating points for the Permanent Virtual Connections (PVCs). Ports include the electronics used in connecting these service elements to the ACS network.
• Service Point - Geographical locations designated by CenturyLink where the ACS network is to be accessed. ACS ports are located at ACS service points.
• Stand-alone Access Link - Connects your end-user's facility to FRS networks provided by service providers other than CenturyLink. Private Line Transport may be required in conjunction with a Stand-Alone Access Link in order to connect the end-user's serving wire center, or node, with the serving wire center, or node, of another frame relay service provider.
• User-To-Network Information Transfer (UNIT) - Transfers information between the User- to-Network Interface (UNI) and the ACS Frame Relay service network. The UNIT includes the associated port, unidirectional PVCs, and ACS Frame Relay switching equipment. It provides unidirectional polling between your end-user's facility and the ACS FRS network.
• Permanent Virtual Connection (PVC) - A unidirectional logical channel from one Frame Relay port to another Frame Relay port within the ACS network. PVCs are provisioned at end-user selected port speeds with end-user selected Committed Information Rates (CIRs). CenturyLink will use a default value of one half of the circuit band rate if the CIR is not specified. PVCs may be provided based on individual end-user traffic requirements. Information regarding PVC recommended volumes are described in CenturyLink Communications Rates and Services Schedule No.1 (QC RSS No.1).
• Central Office Connection Channel (COCC) - Your end-user can access the FRS network via a private line transport facility which may require multiplexing or port to port connectivity. The COCC provides the ongoing interconnection from the multiplexer or other facility port to a FRS port.

Availability

FRS is available in wire centers throughout CenturyLink QC. CenturyLink's Network Disclosure, disclosure number 401, provides information on availability of FRS by CenturyLink wire center.

Effective October 15, 2018, this service is grandfathered in all states in which the product is available and cannot be ordered as a new service. Effective March 1, 2019, this product will be eliminated.

Terms and Conditions

Technical requirements, including Network Channel and Network Channel Interface (NC/NCI^TM) codes, are specified in:

• Technical Publication 77372.
• Telcordia Generic Requirements (GRs)/Technical References (TRs)/Special Reports (SRs)
• American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard Publications

Pricing

Rate Structure

FRS can be billed on a month-to-month basis or on a fixed period Contract Service Arrangement (CSA). CSAs are described in QC RSS No.1 or in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists. Contact your CenturyLink Sales Executive for additional information.

CenturyLink rates, rate elements, and how they apply for FRS are described in QC RSS No.1 or in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/ Price Lists.

Additional general rate structure information is located in Resale General.

Rates

Rates are available in QC RSS No.1 or in the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Rates and/or applicable discounts are available in Exhibit A or the specific rate sheet in your Interconnection or Resale Agreement.

Existing Interstate Fixed Period Rate Plans which have expired, or are within three months of the expiration date, have the ability to subscribe to a new one year or greater Fixed Period Rate Plan and receive a discount on the current Monthly Recurring Charges for the tariff rates in the Fixed Period Service Rate Plan and a reduced Termination Liability Assessment percent. Contact your CenturyLink Sales Manager for additional information.

Additional information on expiring Interstate Fixed Rate Plans and their associated discounts is available in QC RSS No.1 Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Tariffs, Regulations and Policy

For terms and conditions applicable to CenturyLink retail products available for resale, view QC RSS No.1 or the state specific Tariffs/Catalogs/Price Lists.

Additional information can be found in your Interconnection or Resale Agreement.

Optional Features

Customer Network Management (CNM) is a feature that provides your end-user with read-only access to information related to service faults, usage and FRS configurations. CNM includes a PVC that is dedicated to the feature and does not include the PVCs available to your end-user on a per port basis.

Video PVC and Fault Tolerant PVC are also options available for FRS. These two options have been grandfathered and are currently available only in Oregon.

Features/Benefits

FRS features/benefits include :

• Interconnect LANs allow end-users at remote sites to appear as if they are on the network.
• Consolidate LANs to create seamless metropolitan area and Wide Area Networks (WANs).
• Integrate separate networks for connecting LAN and System Network Architecture (SNA) applications into a single virtual network.
• Connect with others on the network to communicate easily with customers, suppliers, consultants and others in the community of interest.

Applications

Applications for FRS include:

• LAN traffic
• High-speed mainframe connections
• Large file transfer
• Text imaging and forms processing
• Email messaging
• Point-of-Sale (POS) authorization
• Packetized video
• Switched access for remote and mobile users
• Client-server applications, including distributed database access.

Implementation

Product Prerequisites

If you are a new CLEC and are ready to do business with CenturyLink, view Getting Started as a Facility-Based CLEC or Getting Started for Resellers. If you are an existing CLEC wishing to amend your Interconnection Agreement or New Customer Questionnaire, additional information is located in the Interconnection Agreement.

Pre-Ordering

General pre-ordering information is located in the Pre-Ordering Overview.

The following activities may need to be performed in preparation for the issuance of a service request:

• Validate address
• Check facilities
• Service availability
• Validate Connecting Facility Assignment (CFA)
• Review Customer Service Record (CSR)

CSRs for FRS can be obtained either by calling or faxing an LSR/ASR request to the CenturyLink Wholesale Interconnect Service Center (ISC).

When contacting the center, please be prepared to provide them with the account telephone number, proof of agency authorization, and your fax number. CenturyLink will fax the FRS CSR to you.

Ordering

It is important to understand the Resale General procedures before ordering Resale FRS.

When requesting the Resale Discount the following information must be provided in the RMKS Section on the ASR/LSR:

• Discount eligible
• Reseller ID (RSID)
• Billing Account Number, (BAN) if known

In addition:

• SPEC of FRRESLD must be placed in the SPEC field when requested via ASR

The Resale Discount can only be added with a valid ASR/LSR request.

General ordering activities are identified in the Ordering Overview.

Service interval guidelines are found in the Service Interval Guide (SIG).

A Design Layout Record (DLR) request is described in the EASE-LSR Extensible Markup Language (XML) Network Disclosure Document ) or the EASE-LSR User's Guide.

Resale FRS is ordered by completing an LSR or ASR. Detailed information describing field entry requirements are available on the LSOG web page.

ASR Requests:

ASR requests utilize the following order entry options:

• Downloadable forms
• Electronic ASR order options OSS

Instructions and forms for ordering Frame Relay Service can be found on the ASR web page.

LSR Requests:

Resale FRS requests utilize the following forms:

• LSR
• End User (EU)
• Resale Frame Relay (RFR)

Refer to the Resale Frame Relay product type in the LSOG to determine ordering requirements for FRS.

Orders should be placed using the EASE-LSR Graphical User Interface (GUI) or EASE-LSR Extensible Markup Language (XML).

Information describing how to use EASE-LSR is documented in the >EASE-LSR User's Guide.

When placing your request, you must include the following:

• NC/NCI codes on the LSR form
• Number of PVCs in the NVC field on the RFR form
• Related circuit identification of the terminating end in the RECCKT field on the RFR form
• Committed Information Rate in the CIR field on RFR

In REMARKS on the RFR, enter Percent of Interstate Usage (PIU) of '100' if requesting an Interstate circuit or PIU '0' for an Intrastate circuit .

Universal Service Order Codes (USOCs) and Field Identifiers (FIDs) for Resale FRS can be found in the USOC and FID Finder. Select the Family Product list option to obtain USOCs/FIDs grouped by product type.

Provisioning and Installation

General provisioning and installation activities are described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.

Firm Order Confirmation (FOC) intervals are found in the SIG.

A jeopardy situation occurs on an LSR request, if a condition exists that threatens timely completion. Jeopardy notification is described in the Provisioning and Installation Overview.

Maintenance and Repair

When placing trouble reports, the account telephone number and/or the appropriate circuit identification must be provided. Information is available in the Maintenance and Repair Overview.

Billing

On a monthly basis, CenturyLink will provide you with billing information that will provide summary account information as well as end-user sub-account information. Detailed information regarding the Carrier Access Billing System (CABS) Summary Bill, Inquiry and Disputes is described in Carrier Access Billing System (CABS).

Training

View CenturyLink courses in the Course Catalog.

Contacts

CenturyLink contact information is located in Wholesale Customer Contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

This section is being compiled based on your feedback

Last Update: October 15, 2018

Last Reviewed: October 9, 2023

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