By using only two to five bytes of overhead, frame relay makes efficient use of each frame. This means that more of the frame relay bandwidth is used for sending user data and less for overhead. Bandwidth utilization of frame relay is nearly equivalent to leased lines and better than numerous other technologies, such as X.25 or IP switching. When the effects are spread over a large network with numerous sites, results improve exponentially. Simplified switching means less delay.
Statistical multiplexing leads to more efficient bandwidth use.
Low overhead means bandwidth is used only for user data, not for data transport. This means that additions and changes in a network are transparent to end users, giving telecommunications managers the flexibility to modify network topologies easily and scale networks as applications grow and sites are added. This inherent flexibility lends itself equally well to the provision of alternate routes to disaster recovery sites, which are, in many cases, transparent to the end user. If you're an experienced hiker, we've provided a little more of a challenging trail in this section. Here, you'll read why frame relay offers advantages over other technologies.