T1 Internet Access for Dummies
This particular T1 Internet Service has long been available for over 40 years but in no way have there been so many "flavors" available. The quantity of vendors has jumped from deregulation in 1996 from a couple dozen to several thousand. As the telecom shakeout that began in 2001 continues many of these companies are attempting to stay afloat by capturing as many clients as feasible with cheap products they assert to be T1. Don't be fooled!
Many of the frantic firms are putting together inferior solutions they claim are T1 products. Be wary of products using the weird titles such as "burstable" as well as "reach". These products are oversubscribed similar to a DSL product. This means the provider puts a single T1 link within a CO (Central Office) and provides T1 hook ups to 3 or four clients banking on the fact that they usually do not all use the resource simultaneously. True, T1 access implies sole usage of the web and you always have access to 1.54Mbps.
Be certain the T1 product in Tannersville is really a "clearchannel" product and isn't shared with other users. Also be certain you truly have a powerful SLA or Service Level Agreement from your provider. A SLA will define the access you will receive and the expense the service provider will pay if they don't provide this kind of service. If you need assistance, establishing the proper SLA gives you the help of a professional if you don't have one in house. It's much better to pay a tiny fee up front versus to enter a long term contract with an inferior carrier. You can also receive professional help gratis by just contacting one of the many T1 brokers on the web.
