Understanding T1 / T3 Connections
Important Information Regarding Service
With the Internet such a vital part of everyday business, more and more companies are choosing always-on broadband connections with T1 lines being one of the most popular. T1 Internet access lets your employees consistently communicate and exchange data with co-workers, customers and vendors at speeds much faster than standard dial-up.
T1 is a symmetrical connection, allowing for downloads and uploads of up to 1.5 Mbps. A single T1 connection can support dozens to hundreds of users.
| Question | What You Should Know |
|---|---|
| Levels of T1 service |
There are multiple levels of T1 lines. At its most basic, a T1 line can be used to handle either your voice or data needs.
Single T1 - Bonded T1 |
| Downside of T1 |
The most obvious drawback of a T1 connection is the cost. For businesses that rely heavily on employee and customer access to data and applications, T1 is worth the investment as it provides a reliable connection and guaranteed uptime. |
| Service Level Agreement (SLA) | Reliability is probably the most important factor in choosing an ISP. While it's impossible to maintain 100% availability, most T1 providers aim for 99.99% uptime over the course of a year. With service level agreements (SLA), access providers pay penalties to customers for downtime exceeding specified totals. |
| Contracts | The contract you sign for T1 access should be comprehensive, with no unwanted surprises or hidden fees, detailing all costs, length of service and the SLA. The standard contract length for T1 Internet access is one year and may include all setup fees, installation costs and equipment rental. If you break a contract early, expect to pay up to several hundred dollars up to the balance left on the contract. |
| Getting set up |
Monthly T1 prices range from $299 to $1,200 - with a similar cost for the initial setup. Bonded T1s are typically priced at a multiple of a regular T1 line, so three bonded T1 lines equal around $750 to $3,000 per month. Standard T1 Internet prices include the phone company's local loop charge - typically $150 and up. Certain setup fees may also be waived based on the length of a contract. |
