DSL Vs T1 Lines
Because there is a tough competition when it comes to the different broadband connections like cable internet, DSL and T1, each lowering their costs and giving better service than the other. So how do you decide on what to choose for yourself, especially when cost and reliability are your two premium requirements? The only place that DSL loses out as a broadband connection would be the problem caused by the dependency on the telephone connection. DSL connections suffer a distance problem when the distance increases between the locations of your DSL connected computer and your local telephone exchange so you may experience a drop in connection speed.
Now, a similar doubt is often expressed for T1 lines too. Though T1 does not really suffer a maximum reach problem compare to DSL because even if you are located in a rural area away from the city there are network carriers that work as signal repeaters and boosters that repeat the T1 signal. There are two distance prone factors that cause a big rise in the cost factor for T1 that result in making it inaccessible for many small business men. The first factor is the T1 access loop. This is determined by the actual distance between the ISP's router (Internet POP) and the T1 customer's local exchange carrier's central office (LECs are companies like AT&T/SBC/BellSouth, Qwest and Verizon). Your ISP for your T1 connection will need your local phone number or the first 6 digits which help to identify the local CO exchange which in turn, helps them to calculate the distance to the IP POP that lies closest to the ISP. Secondly, if the customer is located at a great distance from the LEC office that has T1 technology then the LEC would have to install the signal repeaters for their T1 line that would only add up to the costs for transmission and construction equipment. These costs are generally recovered either by the company themselves absorbing this cost or by enlisting the ISP which bills the final customer. In cases that really incurred a huge cost for just the preliminary stage, the customer often backs out. Now in some cases you will also come across ISPs that will offer you a flat rate as low as $750 monthly irrespective of all this and will give you T1 access loop and a 1.5 Mbps Internet port. But frankly, in all honesty I can't claim these to be the most reliable of services and if you are thinking of the long term then definitely this is just not the correct option. For locations less than 25 miles form the ISP POP a T1 internet connection could be approximately in the range of $300-$500 so that seem pretty decent by market standards. Thus as T1 does not really suffer from the EULA limits it emerges to be better in terms of speed and service. You can check out the services being offered by the various companies online who will be happy to give you a discount for purchasing their packages online. If you are still using DSL, then feel free to check out a T1 you never know you might come across a well-priced package that would fit your business to a tee. |