I have been getting a lot of questions lately about T1’s and their price. The questions mostly have to do with why DSL is so cheap and a T1 so expensive?
Picture an equivalent power force of 672 data and voice wires connecting into one main stream to serve ten people. We call this a DS3 (digital Signal3) line. That would be pretty fast speed for all involved. This DS3 is similar to what the internet connection company purchases to provide your DSL service. As long as no one is using it, it’s really fast. There is, however, no guaranteed set speed for your DSL line. If you don’t believe me, please read your contract. Because there is no set speed guaranteed for your DSL line the provider of your DSL can share it with as many people as they want to. If you have 3,000 thousand people in your area who are surfing the internet, downloading music, playing games, checking their email all at the same time it can be pretty slow-going for all of you. Everyone is sharing a limited resource.
When you have a T1, instead of sharing 672 lines with three thousand other people in your hood you have the use of 28 lines all to yourself. You basically have your own private connection to the internet. This is normally going to guarantee that you have 99.9% or higher of your speed to yourself. The other one-tenth of a percent is uncontrollable by you because you cannot control how traffic flows over the internet. Another thing, though, that makes a T1 seem faster is that there is no longer equipment between you and the internet as there would be if you were on DSL.
So, if you rely on the internet, closing deals or supporting customers or your email for your business profits, then you will likely get your money’s worth from a T1. That extra cost is insurance that you will always be able to do the necessary business needed to keep money in your coffers.