T1 vs DSL for Business Broadband
T1 lines set up as T1 Dedicated Internet connections give business
users guaranteed bandwidth of 1.5 Mbps both upload and download,
plus a SLA service level agreement to assure line reliability.
DSL is a "best effort" Internet service that is offered
without any service guarantee on a shared connection. Bandwidth
varies depending on how heavily other businesses are using the
connection.
Bonding T1 Lines for Higher
Bandwidth
While a standard T1 line provides 1.5 Mbps upload and download
bandwidth, lines can be bonded to create total bandwidths of 3
Mbps, 4.5 Mbps, 6 Mbps, 7.5 Mbps, 9 Mbps, 10.5 Mbps and 12 Mbps.
An advantage T1 lines have over fiber optic connections is that
they are available nearly everywhere without special construction.
What Are Pseudowires?
A pseudowire is a virtual "circuit" that emulates a
traditional digital telecom service but on a packet switched network.
MPLS networks are especially suitable for pseudowires. By using
a pseudowire circuit, you can get the point to point connectivity
you desire without having to re-engineer your facilities to accommodate
a different protocol network.
Fractional T1 Service as a
Money Saver
Not all businesses need the full 1.5 Mbps of a T1 line, but want
higher availability and the dedicated bandwidth offered by T-carrier
digital service. In many cases, fractional T1 services offers
a fraction of the bandwidth at a lowered monthly lease price.
Fractional T3 service may also be available for bandwidth needs
between 1.5 and 45 Mbps.
T1 Line Bandwidth Explained
A T1 line is typically referred to as having a bandwidth of 1.5
Mbps. The precise line speed is 1.544 Mbps. However, the usable
bandwidth or payload is actually 1.536 Mbps. The difference is
8 Kbps which is used for line framing to keep the transmitting
and receiving ends of the circuit in synchronization.