High Speed Internet With T3 Internet Service

T3 lines are used mainly by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who connect their customers to the Internet – Local Area network and Wide Area Network; it is similar in technology to a T1.

T3 Internet connection or ‘Trunk Level 3’ is capable of transmitting data up to 44.7 million bits per second (mbps) through an extremely high bandwidth equivalent to about 672 regular voice-grade phone lines. T3 connection, by copper, is similar in technology to a T1, but it has greater bandwidth through which it can transfer data to and from Internet at a higher speed. A full T3 or DS3 line is equivalent to 28 T1 lines in terms of data transfer per unit time but it has to be customized accordingly to gain optimal benefit.

A T3 circuit can also be by fiber and that is how most DS3 circuits are these days. A fractional T3 Internet service is ideal for customers who need data transfer more than 6 mbps (ideally at 10 mbps or more) and less than the full 45 mbps of the T3 internet line. The reason for that is the local loop for the T3 circuit, is more costly and financially, it does not make sense to get a fractional DS3 for less than 6 mbps. A T3 line is used as a major networking pathway by companies that use lots of bandwidth, big business organizations, and universities with high-volume network data transfer, large corporations, and government organizations.

Like ‘Trunk Level 1’ Internet connection, T3 lines are often called DS3 lines (Digital Signal Level 3), which are made up of two components – the primary or local loop and the port. Primary or Local T3 loops are more expensive than T1 loops because they allow more amounts of data transferred due to its larger bandwidth capacity.

A T3 line comprises of 672 individual channels and each of them can carry 64 Kbps. T3 service is also termed ‘Digital Transmission Level 3’, because it can transmit any combination of data of audio and visual applications. In fact, a T3 circuit is a specific term that transmits data at 64 kbps in each of its 672 channels while DS3 is a generic term that encompasses circuits with the same bandwidth. Both T3 and DS3 lines have the potential to carry 672x 64 Kbps or 44.7 million bits per second (mbps).

A T1 line is used by small and medium-sized companies and it is capable of transmitting text files, graphics, sounds, and database instantly; whereas a T3 line is appropriate for big workforce where larger volumes of data can be transmitted including video and audio files. In case of the T1 service, it will take more time than a T3 connection in transferring audio and video files. Through ordinary residential modem or telephone line it is not possible to transmit both audio and visual data simultaneously. To send or receive any kind of large or constant audio-visual files in undistorted form, you have to rely on T3 Internet service, which provides reliable, uninterrupted, hassle free, and high-speed huge amount of data transfer.

T3 technology has two applications in wide use in corporate networking – as Internet link and as a means of aggregating multiple T1 lines into one physical access point. The first application acts as a single channel between two points of Web server and the Internet. The second application is a canalized system, which works just like a combination of T1 lines. The third application, which is less common than the other two, is used to interface a T3 Internet directly to a far-off access controller. And this application helps to continue 672 simultaneous dial-up connections via one physical link. The problem with copper based point-to-point T3 lines is that it does not work with optical interfaces, unlike a fiber based T3/DS3 circuit.

To connect a large office of individuals to the public Internet, it is better to use a T3 line or DS3 (Digital Signal Level 3) connection instead of other bandwidth services. T3 providers satisfy customers, who have multiple T1 lines needs or are in need of a large Internet connection to transfer huge amount of data by providing T3 connection. By using multiple T1 lines, you can get speed and large amount of data transfer and it’s more cost effective than a T3 line usually, but you can not easily upgrade to a DS3 connection. Fractional T3 or DS3 connection is also available which is not only cheaper than multiple T1 service per megabits, but also ensures larger amount of data transfer at a higher speed. As T3 connection consumes less time to send data through the Internet and VPN (Virtual Private Network), it reduces telecommunication costs considerably and increases productivity in a company as well.

T3 lines are used mainly by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) who connect their customers to the Internet – Local Area network and Wide Area Network. By implementing a T3 service with the latest technological know-how, theT3 provider has brought a revolution in Internet telecommunication and eased the way for point-to-point data transfer.

What is Fractional T1?

In the realm of data transmission, one of the big names is T1. This is a kind of transmission line that consistently delivers a high and detailed amount of data at lightning-fast speeds. A T1 line has 24 channels, each of which can transfer data at a rate of 64 kilobytes a second.

Because it has 24 channels, the T1 line is commonly costly. Businesses with large amounts of data transfer taking place multiple times every day often choose to pay for a full T1 line because it is cost-effective to do so. However, another option is available. Customers can now implement a fractional T1 line, which is, as its name suggests, only part of a T1 line.

A fractional T1 line allows a customer to use only a certain number of the 24 channels on a T1 line. In a sense, the customer who pays for a fractional T1 is renting the use of those channels. This kind of business decision certainly makes sense if the customer requires only a few channels, yet wants to take advantage of the speed, precision, and security that a T1 line delivers. Despite using only a few or perhaps several channels, a fractional T1 does not suffer from slower or less intense data transmission speeds or performance.

As is probably not surprising, the fractional T1 routinely costs a fraction of the full T1 line. Providers usually charge customers for each channel used, and fractional T1 costs correspond to the fraction of the full T1 line that a customer is renting. One main attraction of a T1 line is that it provides a direct connection between your home or office and your Internet Service Provider (ISP). As such, it is considered more secure than other kinds of transmissions. Because a fractional T1 is a T1 without all of the channels being used, it enjoys this kind of direct connection and resulting security as well.

Another main attraction of a T1 line — and the one that makes the sale for most people — is its speed. Data transmitted over a T1 line and, by extension a fractional T1, travels at rocket speed compared to normal household modems, in some cases 60 times faster. This guaranteed speed is made possible in part because of the proprietary nature of the T1. Unlike cable, DSL, and ISDN, the T1 and fractional T1 lines are dedicated transmission methods, meaning that no one else can piggyback on your T1 use.

What Bandwidth is Right for You?

What is a viable choice for your business network backbone? Is it DSL, cable, T1, DS3, or something else?

Ok, is a T1 a viable choice? Yes, due to geographic locations where DSL/Cable is not available.

As far as other services? Well a DS-3 is a viable options when fiber is not run to the location and therefore a copper circuit is still required.

Voice T1s/PRIs are still viable choices.

If the organization is large enough, then a T1 for backup would be a viable option.

DSL and Cable (when available) or good choices for very small businesses that do not run specific servers.

As fiber is built out to more locations, copper circuits sales will continue to decline.

At the enterprise level, most phone companies will not bond more than two DS3s (around 88Mbps), when you could have Gig-E Internet if the location is fiber lit.

DSL vs. T1 - depends how far away you are from the central office whether DSL is a viable alternative.

Cable vs. T1 - depends on how many people are running off of the node. Cable company may state 8M/1M but the actual speed may be 4M/384K.

To really zero in on what you actually need ...... ask yourself these questions:

Do you require the line to be confidential?
What is the maximum acceptable outage you can handle for this line?
Does the pipe size meet your requirements and allow for future growth?
What kind of support do you want for the line?
What kind of money do you want to spend?

If you require the line to be confidential, you could use either a T1 or a VPN over cheaper media.

The uptime of a T1 will generally be greater than that of a lesser service because you're paying for a dedicated circuit. Most providers offer credits when the service is down, so you are not charged when the circuit is not usable. Compare that to lesser services.

A T1 can send and receive 1.544 Mbps concurrently (really 1.536), depending on your location, other services have probably surpassed this.

T1 support is generally much better and more personalized than a lesser service, because you're paying for a dedicated line.

T1 pricing can be somewhat expensive compared to lesser services. But .... this is NOT always the case.

In the end .... do your homework. Making a decision based on anything other than sound business analysis will get you into trouble. Don't buy on your emotion, a friend's advice, or a vendors pitch and hype. Answer the questions above and focus on what makes business sense.

T1 Professional Help

Businesses and individuals who are interested in having a t1 connection need to find the perfect t1 provider so they do not have a ridiculous t1 price. Keep in mind that the t1 provider you select will be your partner for quite some time so take caution in your decision. Dropped calls or an internet connection that goes down can be disastrous to a business. If you are shopping for a T1 provider you should use a broker and ask for referrals from current customers to give you an indication of what you can expect. Telecommunications contracts can be much like a marriage and as we all know there are good and bad marriages.

T1 internet access has been around for just over forty years but never have there been so many lines available. Remember that many of the desperate companies are putting together inferior products they claim are T1 products. Be leery of products with the funny titles like burstable. These products are oversubscribed much like a DSL product. This means the provider has a single T1 connection in a CO and sells T1 connections to 3 or 4 customers hoping they don't all use the service at the same time. True T1 access means dedicated access to the internet and you always have access to 1.54Mbps.

Ensure that your T1 connection is a clear channel product and is not shared with other t1 providers. Additionally, be sure you have an SLA or Service Level Agreement from your provider. A SLA will specify the access you will receive and the penalty the service provider will pay if they do not provide that t1 service.

Keep in mind that if you want help establishing SLA you should look for the help of a professional if you do not have one in house. It is better to pay a fee up front than to enter a long term contract with an inferior carrier. Additionally, you can get professional assistance free of charge by simply contacting one of the many T1 brokers on the internet. When you enter into a telecommunications contract with a T1 provider for reasonable amount of bandwidth or voice service you will have to enter into a long term contract.

It is helpful to know that telecommunications contracts for T1 connections range from one to years to three years. Something over a three year contract is only seen in very large applications like OC3 or complex frame relay connections with many nodes. While the term of the contract will not be a problem if you have the right provider, the contract could prove extremely burdensome with the wrong provider. This is important to understand if you are thinking about purchasing a T1 provider.

Keep in mind that using a broker to walk you through your options and show you the providers and services available. Also, a broker or independent agent can help reduce the time it takes you to shop around for a T1 provider by asking you the questions once and searching through multiple providers to get the service that is right for you. The agent helps steer clear of the bias you will receive when speaking with one vendor as the agent will be paid no matter which service you choose.