The Berkeley Seismological Laboratory maintains continuous communication links with nearly all sites in its networks. This allows the data to be processed in near-real time for applications such as automated earthquake monitoring.

Through funding provided by Pacific Bell through the CalREN Foundation in 1996, the BSL was able to upgrade their analog "plain old telephone" circuits to digital connections. The pilot study was designed to test the feasibility of using frame relay connections to transmit seismic data.

The pilot experiment was so successful that nearly all sites operated by the BSL use frame-relay today. The BSL also uses radio in some areas and satellite systems at a few sites.