Important T1 Facts
A T1 line is a digital transmission
link with a capacity of 1.544 Mbps. T1 lines are used to access voice and
data, including the public telephone network and the Internet, and to create
private networks. A variety of services can be accessed with a T1 line.
You can have a dedicated T1 line for voice services, broadband Internet
access, integrated
broadband and long distance service.
Dedicated Voice Services
consist of local, long distance like interstate, intrastate and international
and toll free services. The cost of these services varies depending on where
you are calling and your carrier. Dedicated Broadband Internet Access provides
1.544 Mbps capacity for both uploading and downloading from the Internet.
Average costs in a metro area are around $500, with one-time charges ranging
from $500-1,000 contingent upon the work required and equipment needed.
The cost for integrated service varies with capacity, features and services.
This is a great option for typical companies with five to twenty employees.
One of the main differences between a T1 line and DSL is the cost. While
DSL is not as fast or reliable as a T1 circuit, it is substantially less
expensive. The cost of DSL services has gone down due to deregulation, competition
and the decreasing costs of equipment and supplying bandwidth, while T1
lines remain in the higher price range because of the robust technology
they utilize.
Usually, DSL costs around $120/month for low-end service and up to $500/month
for faster service. A T1 line can cost between $1,000-1,500/month depending
on who provides it and the customer's location.
T1 and DSL are both service access technologies. A T1 primarily is a business
product, while DSL can service both business and residential customers.
T1 is the best choice if immediate responses and reliability are critical
to the applications you use on your connection
or if you host an in-house email or web servers.
If this is not the case, DSL may be an option. DSL can run as fast as T1
but speeds are variable depending on load and design factors. T1s are generally
more reliable and have a shorter time to repair. A good way to gauge whether
or not you should consider T1
service is to evaluate your current usage and telecom expenses. If you
meet any of the following criteria, a T1 line may be the best option for
your business.
