Fractional T1 lines offer a bit less bandwidth than a full T1 lines but come with the same quality and performance guarantees as a full T1. The best distinction is that they cost slightly less. For anyone who needs high-speed internet but cannot afford a full T1 line may consider a fractional T1. If you are attracted to the low price of a fractional T1, you should ask yourself how much less bandwidth can you afford to lose for the sake of saving money. Although the price reduction is not what you might expect it to be, this may put a T1 in your budget and be a great way to get dedicated service into your building.

Another positive aspect of fractional T1 is its versatility. Once you have fractional service upgrading to full service is easy. The reason it is easy is due to the install. The same amount of overhead, crews, time, connections are required. A fractional T is a full T1 capable circuit - it is throttled back to deliver only a portion. Contact your broker or provider and you can increase bandwidth within 7 - 10 business days.

Fractional service typically comes in 256Kbps increments from 256Kbps all the way to a full T1 at 1.5Mbps. Focus on finding the right connection service for your needs. Keep in mind, upgrading is a simple process. Reliability becomes critical when customers or employees depend on your connection for immediate responses. If your customers use your connection to access your databases or your server or the internet then reliability of your connection is critical. A critical connection can be viewed much like a lifeline, without which your business would be negatively impacted.

It is wise to check fractional T1 prices with several providers, their prices do vary. Most importantly compare the speed/price ratio. You may or may not be satisfied with the internet speed for the cost. The price break point vs. speed averages around 768 Mbits, half a T1. You will find you can get a Full T1, twice the bandwidth, for approximately $10 - $25 more per month.

Most of the time, you will find, there isn't much of a cost savings between a fractional T1 and a full T1. This is because the service provider has two costs associated with your fractional T1 - the "local loop" and the "port". The local phone company provides and installs the loop. The T1 provider supplies the "port" which is the connection between the local loop and the Internet.

This disparity between internet service and cost is due to several reasons. In the end, there are no cost savings for the T1 provider or the local phone company on a local loop, the end user doesn't get any cost savings on this portion. Advantages - This can save time and reduce or eliminate install fees in the event you expand your bandwidth in the future. The Full T1 circuit is already in place.

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