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.
Medical Imaging Transmission
Medical images, such as those generated by Teleradiology equipment,
have large file sizes due to high resolution. Rapid transmission
between hospitals and medical centers requires high availability,
high bandwidth telecommunication services. For smaller offices
or infrequent use, a T1 data line might easily suffice. For medium
and larger facilities, T3 lines and fiber optic carrier services
are recommended.
T1 and T3 Lines for Wireless
Backhaul
A WISP or Wireless Internet Service Provider needs a way to connect
the Internet to the tower radios. T1 lines and bonded T1 lines
are widely used for this purpose, as well as cellular tower backhaul,
because of their almost universal availability. T3 lines offer
28x the bandwidth of T1 lines but are typically more available
in larger metropolitan areas.
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.