T1 Internet Access for Dummies
The T1 Internet Service has been available for more than 4 decades but never have there been so many "flavors" obtainable. The number of providers has leaped amazingly from deregulation in 1996 from a few dozen to several thousand. As the telecom shakeout that began in 2001 continues many of these businesses are trying to stay afloat by capturing as many clients as possible with low-cost products they claim being T1. Do not be fooled!
Numerous frantic companies are putting together inferior solutions they assert are really T1 products. Be leery of products using the strange titles similar to "burstable" as well as "reach". These items can be oversubscribed similar to a DSL product. This means the provider places a single T1 connection within a CO (Central Office) and gives T1 hook ups to 3 or 4 clients banking on the fact that they don't all make use of the service at the same time. True, T1 access implies sole usage of the web and you always have access to 1.54Mbps.
Make sure the T1 service for Somers Point is a "clearchannel" item and is not shared with other users. Also be sure you have a powerful SLA or Service Level Agreement from your supplier. A SLA will specify the access you will receive and the penalty the service provider pays in the event that they do not provide this kind of service. If you need help, establishing the correct SLA gives you the help of an expert if you don't have one in house. It's much better to pay a small fee up front versus to enter a long term agreement with an inferior carrier. You can also get expert assistance gratis by simply contacting one of the many T1 brokers on the web.
