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FIGURE 1 - Structure of the Global Telecommunication System

As defined in the WMO Technical Regulations (WMO Publication No. 49), the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) is the co-ordinated global system of telecommunication facilities and arrangements for the rapid collection, exchange and distribution of observations and processed information within the framework of the World Weather Watch (WWW). It is implemented and operated by National Meteorological Services of WMO Members and also a few International Organizations (ECMWF, EUMETSAT).

The Global Telecommunication System (GTS) consists of an integrated network of point-to-point circuits, and multi-point circuits which interconnect meteorological telecommunication centres.

The circuits of the GTS are composed of a combination of terrestrial and satellite telecommunication links of:

point-to-point circuits,

point-to-multi-point circuits for data distribution,

multi-point-to-point circuits for data collection,

as well as data-communication network services.

Figure 1 shows the structure of the the GTS.

Meteorological Telecommunication Centres are responsible for receiving data and relaying it selectively on GTS circuits.

The GTS is organized on a three level basis, namely:

1. The Main Telecommunication Network (MTN);
2. The Regional Meteorological Telecommunication Networks (RMTNs);
3. The National Meteorological Telecommunication Networks (NMTNs);

1. The Main Telecommunication Network (MTN):

The MTN is the core network of the GTS, linking together three World Meteorological Centres (WMCs) and 15 Regional Telecommunication Hubs (RTHs):

WMCs: Melbourne, Moscow and Washington;

RTHs: Algiers, Beijing, Bracknell, Brasilia, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Dakar, Jeddah, Nairobi, New Delhi, Offenbach, Toulouse, Prague, Sofia and Tokyo.

The Main Telecommunication Network (MTN) has the function of providing an efficient and reliable communication service between its centres, in order to ensure the rapid and reliable global and interregional exchange of observational data, processed information and other data required by Members.

2. The Regional Meteorological Telecommunication Networks

The RMTNs consists of an integrated network of circuits interconnecting meteorological centres, which are complemented by radio broadcasts where necessary. The Regional Meteorological Telecommunication Networks are to ensure the collection of observational data and the regional selective distribution of meteorological and other related information to Members. The RTHs on the MTN perform an interface function between the Regional Meteorological Telecommunication Networks and the MTN. There are six Regional Meteorological Telecommunication Networks:

	Point-to-Point	Point-to-Multipoint
Africa	[GIF] [PPT]	[GIF]
Asia	[GIF] [PPT]	[GIF]
South America	[GIF] [PPT]
North America, Central America & the Caribbean	[GIF] [PPT]
South-West Pacific	[GIF] [PPT]	[GIF]
Europe	[GIF] [PPT]	[PPT]

3. The National Meteorological Telecommunication Networks

The NMTN enables the National Meteorological Centres to collect observational data and to receive and distribute meteorological information on a national level.

Satellite-based data collection and/or data distribution systems are integrated in the GTS as an essential element of the global, regional and national levels of the GTS. Data collection systems operated via geostationary or near-polar orbiting meteorological/environmental satellites, including ARGOS, are widely used for the collection of observational data from Data Collection Platforms. Marine data are also collected through the International Maritime Mobile Service and through INMARSAT. International data distribution systems operated either via meteorological satellites or via telecommunication satellites are efficiently complementing the point-to-point GTS circuits. Several Countries have implemented satellite-based telecommunication systems for their national Meteorological Telecommunication Networks.