T1 Internet Access for Dummies
The T1 Internet Service continues to be around for more than 4 decades yet never have there been so many "flavors" obtainable. The amount of providers has leaped amazingly from deregulation in 1996 from a few dozen to several thousand. As the telecom shakeout that started in 2001 continues many of these companies are trying to stay afloat by capturing as many clients as feasible with low-cost products they claim being T1. Don't be fooled!
Many of the frantic businesses are putting together substandard solutions they assert are really T1 products. Just be leery of products with the strange titles similar to "burstable" and "reach". These products are oversubscribed similar to a DSL product. This suggests the provider puts a single T1 connection within a CO (Central Office) and provides T1 connections to 3 or four clients banking on the fact that they don't all use the resource at the same time. True, T1 access means dedicated usage of the Internet and you always have access to 1.54Mbps.
Make sure your T1 service in Reeders is a "clearchannel" item and isn't shared with other users. Also be certain you truly have an SLA or Service Level Agreement from your supplier. A SLA will specify the access you can get and the expense the service provider will pay if they do not supply such service. If you need assistance, establishing the appropriate SLA gives you the help of an expert if you don't have one already. It's much better to spend a tiny price up front versus to enter a long term contract with an substandard carrier. You can also get authoritative help gratis by just contacting among the many T1 brokers on the Internet.