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Users looking to extend their frame relay networks beyond the confines of the continental U.S. can expect limited service availability, long provisioning intervals and high prices.
Although most of the carriers have long ago detailed plans to offer frame relay internationally and international service revenues are expected to skyrocket from $2.60 million in 1992 to $363.6 million in 1996, it's been tough sledding.
The biggest problem is availabily. For instance, some carriers only want to extend frame relay to countries in which the service can be delivered over fiber transmission facilities.
"That knocks Eastern Europe, most of the Far East and many third world countries off the list," said Deb Mielke, a staff specialist with BT North America, Inc. "Most of them don't have a digital infrastructure, let alone fiber."
BT currently offers frame relay service in 13 countries in Europe and the Pacific Rim, as well as in Hong...