What is a viable option for your business network backbone? Is it DSL, cable, T1, DS3, or something else?
Ok, is a T1 a viable choice? Yes, due to geographic locations where DSL/Cable is not available.
As far as other flavors? Well a DS-3 is a viable options when fiber isn’t run to the location and hence a copper circuit is still needed.
Voice T1s/PRIs are still viable choices.
If the organization is big enough, then a T1 for backup would be a viable option. DSL and Cable (when available) or fine choices for very small businesses that do not run particular servers. As fiber is built out to more locations, copper circuits sales will carry on to decline. At the enterprise level, most phone companies won’t bond more than two DS3s (around 88Mbps), when you could have Gig-E Internet if the location is fiber lit.
DSL vs. T1 – depends how far away you’re from the central office whether DSL is a viable choice.
Cable vs. T1 – depends on how many people are running off of node. Cable company may state 8M/1M but the real speed may be 4M/384K, ah the wonders of speedtest.net
FiOS vs. T1 – FiOS will win everytime. 20M/20M business FiOS is around $150/month? NxT1s can not compete with that. Of course this is limited to Verizon footprint and FiOS availability.
If you require the line to be confidential, you could use either a T1 or a VPN over cheaper media. The uptime of a T1 will generally be greater than that of a lesser service because you’re paying for a committed circuit. Most suppliers offer credits when the service is down, so you’re not charged when the circuit isn’t usable. Compare that to lesser services. A T1 can send and receive 1.544 Mbps concurrently (really 1.536), depending on your location, other services have probably surpassed this: FiOS, Comcast Cable. T1 support is generally much better and more personalized than a lesser service, as you’re paying for a dedicated line. T1 pricing can be somewhat costly compared to lesser services. But …. this is NOT always the case. In the end …. do your homework. Making a decision based on anything other than sound business analysis will get you into trouble. Do not buy on your emotion, a friend’s advice, or a vendors pitch and hype.
Tags: geographic locations, Network Backbone, small businesses