| Looking for bandwidth? That can be a daunting | | | | Fractional T-1. 99% availability in U.S. Very reliable. |
| and frustrating task even in the best of situations. | | | | Cons: Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive. |
| There's lots to consider in order to make the right | | | | Costs: A full T1 obviously will cost more than a |
| decision for your needs. Below you'll find some | | | | Fractional T1. Expect cost to start at around a |
| help when evaluating Fractional T1 vs T1. Factors | | | | $400 for a stable, reliable system (e.g. from a |
| covered include Technology, Speed, Description, | | | | Tier 1 provder). A required router is additional |
| Application, Pros, Cons, and Cost. | | | | unless provided as a "freebie" incentive by the |
| ~~~~~~~~~ | | | | vendor. Price climbs as distance from the |
| Technology: Fractional T1 | | | | providers Central Office (CO) increases. |
| Speed: 128 Kbps - 1.544 Mbps | | | | However....the pricing for these connections varies |
| Description: Same service as a full T-1 provisioned | | | | widely depending on the carrier, location of service |
| in increments of 64 Kbps. A full T-1 is 1.544 Mbps | | | | and the application for which the connection is |
| or 24 channels, Fractional T-1s start at 128 Kbps | | | | being used. For example...Tier 1 providers may |
| or 2 channels. | | | | cost more than local/regional Tier2 and Tier 3 |
| Application: Used to connect a company to the | | | | providers but are much more stable and reliable. |
| Internet when less than a full T-1 is required. | | | | Also, expect to pay more if you are in a rural |
| Circuit runs from the location into the Internet. | | | | area or need integrated (voice and data |
| Pros: Provides access straight into the carrier's | | | | combined) or bonded (multiple T1s bound in 1 |
| backbone. Unlike DSL and Cable Modem, there is | | | | network....option vs full DS3) T1 service. |
| no aggregation. Fractional T-1s have unused | | | | ~~~~~~~~~~ |
| channels which can be turned up on demand. | | | | Technology: E1 (Europe) |
| Cons: Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive. | | | | Speed: 2.048 Mbps |
| Costs: Fractional T1 cost starts at around | | | | Description: The European equilivent of the T-1. |
| $100-200 for a stable, reliable system (e.g. from a | | | | Application: Connects a company's LAN into the |
| Tier 1 provider). A required router is additional | | | | Internet or carrier's Frame Realy network. |
| unless provided as a "freebie" incentive by the | | | | Pros: Provides access straight into the carrier's |
| vendor. Price climbs as distance from the | | | | backbone. Very reliable. |
| providers Central Office (CO) increases. | | | | Cons: Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive. |
| However....the pricing for these connections varies | | | | Costs: A full E1 usually costs more than it's North |
| widely depending on the carrier, location of service | | | | American counterpart. Expect cost to start at |
| and the application for which the connection is | | | | around a $800-1000 for a stable, reliable system |
| being used. | | | | (e.g. from an equivalent Tier 1 provder). A |
| ~~~~~~~~~~ | | | | required router is additional unless provided as a |
| Technology: T1 | | | | "freebie" incentive by the vendor (not common in |
| Speed: 1.544 Mbps | | | | Europe). Price climbs as distance from the |
| Description: A 24 channel cirucit that can be used | | | | providers Central Office (CO) increases. |
| for Frame Realy, Private Line, VPN or, most | | | | However....just as with the North American version |
| commonly, Internet access. | | | | the pricing for these connections varies widely |
| Application: Connects a company's LAN into the | | | | depending on the carrier, location of service and |
| Internet or carrier's Frame Realy network. | | | | the application for which the connection is being |
| Pros: Provides access straight into the carrier's | | | | used. |
| backbone. Only slightly more expensive than a | | | | |