T1 Internet Service
For anyone interested in high-speed Internet access, T1 Internet service has either been considered or should be. Dont be discouraged by the technical lingo and onslaught of acronyms. There are a few variations of T1 Internet connection. These should be looked over and explained thoroughly by any potential Internet service provider. Only by understanding the differences among providers and services can you make the best decision based on your particular needs. Of course, the appropriate Internet connection will reflect its primary use.
Nearly all office-based and modern retail businesses require some type of Internet access in order to perform their daily operations, and many have mission critical Internet needs that allow them to continue business operations at all. There are many choices to fulfill this need for Internet access including a T1 Line. Full T1 Line" is a term typically used to describe a circuit that provides 1.5 megabits per second of high speed Internet access, which is the most common type of T1.
A T1 Line consists of 24 channels that transmit data at 64Kbps each, therefore giving a Full T1 Line the capacity to transmit 1.54Mbps of data synchronously (upstream and downstream). Using today's standard email applications and common Internet searching, this amount of bandwidth could support anywhere from 1 to approximately 75 users depending on their needs, preferences, and the company's budget. Internet T1 pricing starts at approximately $400 per month, but can cost more than $1000 per month if the location of the installation requires a long loop to connect to the network of your local phone company to the network of the T1 provider.
A Fractional T1 line typically describes an Internet circuit that uses a "piece" or a "fraction" of a Full T1. Fractional T1s have become less cost effective. This doesn't make much sense in applications where only 1 or 2 T1 lines are needed, unless the budget is extremely tight. However, this can add up to significant savings when using hundreds of T1's across a large company's multi-location VPN or frame relay network.
Voice and PRI T1 lines are extremely common among businesses and call centers with multiple telephone lines and large call volumes. Voice T1 lines use digital or analog transmission, so it is an excellent choice in situations where a company's equipment does not allow for the use of a PRI line, which is always digital. They are far less expensive and more efficient than installing dozens of POTS (plain old telephone service) lines.
An Integrated T1 Line is one of the most popular T1 solutions for small businesses because it provides local telephone service, long distance, and bandwidth all on a single connection and a single bill. The consolidation of these services with one company is more convenient and more cost effective than purchasing them from separate providers.
Because there are several options available, be careful to find the right internet connection for you. Remember to look at speed and cost to make an economically savvy decision.
