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T1/T3 Information

What is a T1 and a T-3?
A T-1 is a dedicated data connection supporting data rates of 1.544Mbits per second. A T-1 line actually consists of 24 individual channels, each of which supports 64Kbits per second. Each 64Kbit/second channel is configured to carry data traffic. You may buy just some of these individual channels, known as fractional T-1 access.

A T-3 is a dedicated phone connection supporting data rates of about 45 Mbps. A T-3 line actually consists of 672 individual channels, each of which supports 64 Kbps.

T-1 lines are a popular leased lines option for businesses connecting to the Internet and for Internet Service Providers (ISP's) connecting to the Internet backbone. The Internet backbone itself consists of faster T-3 and OC-3 or OC-12 connections.

How does a T-1 or T-3 work?

Above is a graph illustrating a dedicated T1 T3 connection.

What is a Burstable T1 or T3?
A Burstable T1/T3 allows you to burst up to a full T1/T3 whenever you need the added bandwidth. You get a full T1/T3 line inserted into your office and get charged based on the usage.

Should I choose a Burstable T1/T3 or a Fractional T1/T3?
A Fractional T1 is ideal for customers with steady and predictable bandwidth requirements who want the reliability and consistent monthly expense. A Burstable T1, which allows you to increase throughput during peak usage hours, is ideal for customers who need the flexibility of bandwidth on demand.

What typed of service should you expect with a dedicated T1 or T3 connection?
-Domain Name Registration
-Primary and Secondary DNS
-32 IP addresses (up to 256 pending justification)
-Mail fall back spooling
-Usage Statistics (with Burstable)
-Circuit Provisioning
-24/7 NOC Monitoring
-Personalized comprehensive customer service
-Tech support advanced trouble ticket reporting system

How much does a T1 cost?
There are 2 charges for a T1.
1)Their is the bandwidth charge which is provided from the ISP
2)Their is the loop charge from the phone company. The loop is the distance from the customer site to the ISP's POP.
A T1 typically costs anywhere from $500 to $2000 monthly.

What about equipment?
You will need a router which can be bought by the customer or provided by the ISP. Most ISP's use the CISCO 2610 which is the most used router for T1's. It generally costs over $2000. You may lease the router from the ISP for a fixed cost per month. The ISP will manage the router and be responsible for maintaining and and will replace the router is something goes wrong.

What is a CSU/DSU?
Short for Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit. The CSU is a device that performs protective and diagnostic functions for a telecommunications line. The DSU is a device that connects a terminal to a digital line. Typically, the two devices are packaged as a single unit. You can think of it as a very high-powered and expensive modem. Such a device is required for both ends of a T-1 or a T-3 connection, and the units at both ends must be from the same manufacturer.

When Is It Time for a T1 Line?
For most small businesses, digital subscriber line (DSL) is sufficient for high-speed Internet access. DSL offers data-transfer rates comparable to T1 and are considerably cheaper. So why would you pay $1,000 to $3,000 per month for a full 1.544Mbps T1 line? Here are a few instances where it may be worth it:

-You need a rock-solid connection to the Internet. If you?re concerned about uptime, you can take comfort in the fact that T1 service is highly dependable. Because a T1 line travels from your business directly to the telephone company's central office, there are few points of failure. If something does go wrong, the FCC requires providers to respond to repair requests within one hour. And unlike DSL and cable, which may be slower or faster depending on line conditions and the number of users, T1 speed is guaranteed.

-You host online services. Because a T1 line offers dependable service and high speeds in both directions, it's the best choice if you host Web or FTP sites on your network. A cable modem connection is much less secure and can be frustratingly slow during peak periods. And asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL), the most widely available DSL technology, tops out at 1Mbps in the upstream direction.

-If other options aren't available. If you really need a high-speed connection to the Internet but DSL and cable modem service aren't available in your area, consider a T1 line. T1 service is widely available in the United States, Canada, Japan and the Caribbean. A similar service, E1, is available throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. If you don't need a full 1.5Mbps connection, you can usually pay less for fractional or metered T1 service.

You don't have to spend thousands of dollars a month for high-speed Internet access. But if Internet connectivity is critical to your business, T1 may be the way to go.