T1 Internet Access for Dummies
The T1 Internet Service has been available for over 40 years but never have there been numerous "flavors" obtainable. The amount of vendors has jumped from deregulation in 1996 from a few dozen to several thousand. As the telecom shakedown that started in 2001 continues many of these companies are trying to stay afloat by capturing as many customers as possible with low-cost solutions they assert being T1. Do not be fooled!
Lots of the desperate businesses are putting together inferior solutions they claim are T1 products. Be leery of products with the weird titles like "burstable" as well as "reach". These items are oversubscribed much like a DSL product. This suggests the provider puts a single T1 link within a CO (Central Office) and provides T1 connections to 3 or four customers banking on the fact that they usually do not all make use of the resource at the same time. True, T1 access means sole access to the Internet and you always have access to 1.54Mbps.
Make sure the T1 service in Lake is really a "clearchannel" item and is not shared with other users. Also be sure you have a powerful SLA or Service Level Agreement from your provider. A SLA will specify the access you will receive and the penalty the service company pays on condition that they do not supply this kind of service. If you need help, establishing the proper SLA gives you the help of a professional if you don't have one already. It's much better to pay a small fee up front versus to enter a long term contract with an inferior carrier. You can also receive expert assistance gratis by just contacting one of the many T1 brokers on the web.
