There are several factors to consider when selecting a T1 Service Provider. A T1 Internet connection (often referred to as DS1) is the most commonly used high speed digital transmission line for small to medium-sized businesses (SMB) in the United States. The bandwidth of a T1 is 1.544 Mbps for both uplink and downlink.
First determine what you or your company needs and why. Many companies or individuals are looking for faster Internet service. Others may be limited in the amount of data allowed per month by their current provider. This is especially true with satellite Internet service providers.
Second, consider which services would be of most advantage for your needs. Although not generally thought of, a T1 line can usually provide data service, voice service, or both. It is essential to consider how many users need to supported and how many phone lines are in use simultaneously. Also the types of traffic sent over the Internet and/or the number and duration of phone calls made are important factors. And if needing higher bandwidth applications including voice over IP (VOIP) or remote access to company or Internet resources using graphical interfaces, a T1 or even multiple T1’s may be required. Can the T1 service provider support these needs adequately?
Another factor is security. If numerous locations need to be serviced, what configuration would be most advantageous? In some cases a private network would be best. Security technology or private lines may be used to make either “real” or “virtual” private networks between a company’s locations. In a virtual private network (VPN), it might be possible, by using a single vendor’s backbone, to keep all traffic off the public Internet.
Most companies or individuals looking for a T1 service provider are facing either slow or unreliable Internet connections. In either case the present Internet service provider (ISP) may be providing inadequate service Normally, a T1 service provider will provide a service level agreement (SLA), with assured data rates, latency, and reliability.
For instance, many DSL providers will be able to offer an upgrade to a T1. This could be crucial if there is time remaining on an existing service contract for DSL or cable. Of the major DSL providers, including AT&T, Verizon and Qwest, this may be a consideration, although the largest vendors’ T1 pricing is usually not as competitive as lesser know companies. There are many little known T1 providers that provide the same or better service as better known larger companies.
Some SMBs already have a T1 for either data service or voice or possibly both. Have the incumbant’s service levels been adequately met? How has the vendor responded or fixed problems on their own and kept all parties notified of down time? If choosing a different vendor, how is the new vendor’s SLA different or improved?
For the higher levels of service, the pricing escalates a great deal, over DSL, cable or satellite Internet service providers. For instance, current DSL or cable pricing starts as low as $12.95 per month. T1 service providers usually charge about $400 per month on average. In major cities, the rates can be as low as around $250 as of this writing. Prices continue to decrease annually as competition improves.
There are many items to take into account when choosing the best T1 Service Provider. A telecommunications broker can advise which T1 provider is best according to individual company requirements, as well assist with the implementation process.
By: Jim C Green
Posts Tagged ‘T1 Internet Connection’
How to Find the Best T1 Service Provider
December 19th, 2009Information About the T1 Line Service Service and Providers
December 16th, 2009
A T1 line service is not the same as other types of internet connections. What it can do for a small business is amazing. It is not really ideal for home users and also isn’t quite ready to handle a large company. But the amount of data it transfers is sufficient for new or smaller companies.
T1 Internet service actually began in the fifties, and was first developed by Bell labs for use in America and Japan. The choices that were made by the developing company back then set the standard for the T1 service even as it exists today. Because of those choices, the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications or CEPT was able to make a different choice for their E1 or European version of this service.
Many small businesses have around eight or ten phone lines to use as well as needing access to the internet. A T1 internet connection could be an ideal solution. Bigger companies would choose to use a T2 or a T3. A T1 is more suited to a business that has many employees browsing the internet.
A T2 line will have information that travels at 6. 312 megabits per second. A T3 line will transfer information at 44. 756 megabits per second. A T1 service is faster than cable or modem internet connections, but its information travels at 1. 544 megabits per second. The streaming information that becomes accessible by a company moves very quickly. However, routers and servers across the world that must be accessed in order to surf the internet aren’t controlled by a person’s T1 service and may cause delays still.
For the most part, a person can expect that their T1 service is made up of a cable of twisted copper wire. Slowly, T1’s are being transferred to fibre optic cables. These are bundles of glass fibres that can carry information cleaner and don’t take damage from their surroundings as easily as copper wires do.
Pricing for a T1 line service will vary according to where the service is located and going to. Because only Bell companies can offer service to T1 lines, all other companies that offer consumers a T1 line are doing so as a third party to Bell. That means there are more costs involved. Also, a T1 circuit is priced by how far the business or location is from where the main source of access is. If the T1 line is far away from its nearest distributor, it will be more expensive.
A T1 Bandwidth service can bring many benefits to a business. The uploads and downloads are faster. There is rarely any interruption of service so employees have more time to work and less downtime waiting for the internet to come back. Websites that need constant revising or updating can be tended to on a twenty-four hour basis. This connection is always on, always going, as a T1 service is dedicated and just for that business.
Some people believe that a T1 line service would be the answer to their prayers. Perhaps they would be right. It is not a simple modem service and is much better than even cable or DSL internet connections due to it’s reliability. It is a perfect solution for a small business. Just remember to consult a telecom consultant when searching for T1 Line Service.
By: Ricky Simpson