DIA (Direct Internet Access) Lines; PtP (Point-to-Point); SD-WAN (Software Defined WAN) and MPLS Data Line Service
For Internet Access and Network circuits, service can be provided via various technologies: DSL, Cable, Satellite, Microwave, Wireless, T1, Fast Ethernet, DS3, GigE, cellular, and OCx line service.
If your business is critically dependent on this service being up and maintaining a consistent bandwidth, you problably want to spend the extra money for T1, Fast Ethernet, DS3, GigE, OCx and/or SD-WAN service. Except for areas where it has not yet become economical to run cable or fiber service, cable and fiber are replacing T1, DS3, and OCx service. Cellular, Fixed Wireless, and satellite are often used in some of the areas that do not yet have cable or fiber.
In many cases, organizations find that a cost effective solution is an
Integrated, bundled or converged circuit.
An Integrated T1 is set up to use part of the T1 bandwidth for phone service and the rest of the T1 bandwidth for Internet Access. Typically Integrated T1s are implemented with DBA (Dynamically Bandwidth Allocation). DBA allows any bandwidth set aside for voice to be used for Internet Access if the phone is not in use. Converged service is really the same thing as an Integrated service; namely the sharing of data bandwidth for voice service. The term "converged" has come into widespread use as organizations move from legacy T1/DS3/OCx service to fiber. The term bundled has more to do with billing - it typically refers to discounted pricing when more than 1 Telecom service is purchased. Cable companies promoted bundled plans in which data, voice and TV service can be purchased in bundles of 2 or 3 services. You can see which Integrated, converged or bundled options are available for your location(s) at the
T1 Real-Time Line Service Quote site by choosing "Integrated (Bundled Data/Voice)" on the drop down menu.
SD-WAN
If you are connecting two or more locations, you could do it via the public Internet using
VPN. However, for many business requirements, it is better to have a
Point-to-Point (PtP) circuit,
Ethernet Virtual Connection (EVC),
MPLS, or
SD-WAN service. There is additional discussion on these lower on this page.
How to Decide on the Best Internet Access and Network Bandwidth Plan for Your Needs
 | We
will help you decide which Telecom or Cable Service Provider and which plan best suits your needs and your budget. Here is some info that gives a rough idea of what is available. Pricing and availability are very much location dependent. A building across the street may be eligible for one of these options at a great price but your building may not be eligible at all or the pricing may be much higher. This is determined by the length and condition of existing circuits to your building and by equipment availability in the Central Office to which it is connected.
Here are some Internet connection and network options. Pricing and availability vary greatly as a function of location.
|
|
| | Bandwidth/Speed | Cost (varies with location) | Reliability | Consistency |
DSL
|
To 15 Mbps Down x 2 Mbps Up |
$19.99 to $399 per mo. |
Medium |
Medium |
Business Cable
|
To 10 Gbps Down x 50 Mbps Up |
$40 to $300 per mo. |
Med-High |
Low-High |
T1
|
1.5 Mbps Down and Up |
$180 to $700 per mo. |
High |
High |
DS3
|
45 Mbps Down and Up |
$1,999 to $12,000+ per mo. |
High |
High |
Fast Ethernet
|
3 Mbps to 100 Mbps Down and Up |
Cost is highly variable; Varies from about $80 per Mbps/mo to below $8 per Mbps/mo at the higher speeds |
High |
High |
OC3
|
155 Mbps Down and UP |
$6,000 to $20,000+ per mo. |
High |
High |
Gigabit Ethernet
|
100 Mbps to 100 Gbps Down and UP |
Where Available, cost is highly variable; Varies from about $8/mo per Mbps/mo to a few cents per Mbps/mo at the higher speeds |
High |
High |
Between T1 and DS3 speeds, there are additional options. A
bonded T1 is a circuit which has a number of T1s bonded together so that they
appear as one pipe. However, for more than 4 to 6 T1s, it is often more
economical to go to a
fractional DS3, which is a
portion of a Full DS3. A fractional DS3 can easily be upgraded to a DS3.
Additional T1s can not always be added to a bonded T1 - it depends on
the capabilities of the carrier involved and on the facilities
available. For more information on various types of T1 circuits, see
T1, DS1, T3, DS3, OC3 and Dedicated Service Glossary. For explanations of Telecom abbreviations, see
Telecommunications Abbreviations Explained.
Ethernet for
distributing bandwidth has become very popular in Metropolitan
areas. For more descriptive information on Ethernet options, see
Explanation of Ethernet options. A limited number of buildings are wired for Ethernet but the number is rapidly increasing. If you
request Fast Ethernet or GigE quotes,
we will show you, in real time, the nearest Ethernet connected
building(s) to the location that you enter. If you wish, we will
then discuss pricing info if Ethernet is available in or
near your building. In any case, we will be glad to present you with the
most cost effective options to fit your bandwidth requirements.
For pricing and for placing orders
for DSL, Cable, T1, DS3, Fast Ethernet, OC3, GIG-E, and OCx click
on the service in the table above. For bonded T1, you can obtain quotes
by starting on the T1 page. Likewise, for fractional DS3, you can start on the DS3 page.
If you run a DSL quote and it is clear that DSL is not available at your location, our quote system will show you Cable and/or Satellite
options. Normally, Satellite is only used for remote locations where
neither DSL nor Cable is available, and T1 service is cost
prohibitive. This is because of the latency of Satellite signals and the
adverse effect that weather can have on the service. Another use for
Satellite service is as an emergency backup for other service.
How to Determine if a VPN, PtP, EVC, SD-WAN or MPLS service will best suit your needs
| | We will help you decide which Carrier (or Cable company) and which plan best suits your needs and your budget. Our automated systems can not always give you real-time quotes for VPN, PtP, EVC, SD-WAN and MPLS circuits.
However, they are very close. If you enter the address and a landline phone number for one of the locations at the T1 or DS3 link above, you will see that you can choose Multi-Site Networks for VPN, WAN or MPLS networks. Although currently we might not send you a Real-time quote, we will contact you shortly at the contact number you provide and we will obtain the info needed to develop a quote for
you. |
A PtP circuit is a private line
between two locations. MPLS is a service between two or more locations
that is a replacement for IP, ATM and/or Frame Relay. MPLS allows
appropriate priority to be given when various types of data are
transmitted between the locations; voice, video, application (for
example, Citrix) and/or other data services can be accomodated
with priorities assigned for suitable handling. Many MPLS networks are now being replaced by SD-WAN service which usually is less expensive and provides additional benefits.
Contact us for more info. |
