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.
How do T1 and DS1 differ?
In general conversation, T1 and DS1 refer to the same thing. But
strictly speaking, T1 refers to a physical line circuit consisting
of 2 pair of copper wires with strict line signal specifications.
DS1 stands for Digital Signal level 1. DS1 is the service level
you get on a T1 line. However, DS1 also is part of the digital
signal hierarchy used in T3 lines and SONET fiber optic carriers.