T1 Internet Access for Dummies
This particular T1 Internet Service has long been around for over 40 years but in no way have there been numerous "flavors" offered. The quantity of vendors has jumped from deregulation in 1996 from a couple dozen to several thousand. Since the telecom shakeout that started in 2001 continues many of these businesses are trying to stay afloat by capturing as many customers as possible with cheap products they claim to be T1. Don't be fooled!
Numerous frantic businesses are putting together substandard solutions they assert are T1 products. Just be wary of products using the weird titles similar to "burstable" as well as "reach". These products are oversubscribed similar to a DSL product. This suggests the provider places a single T1 connection within a CO (Central Office) and gives T1 connections to three or 4 clients banking on the fact that they usually do not all make use of the service at the same time. True, T1 access means sole access to the Internet and you invariably have access to 1.54Mbps.
Be certain the T1 service for Hancock is a "clearchannel" product and is not shared with different users. Also be certain you truly have an SLA or Service Level Agreement from your provider. A SLA will specify the access you can get and the expense the service company will pay in the event that they do not supply such 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 tiny price up front versus to enter a long term contract with an substandard carrier. You can also receive authoritative help free of charge by just contacting one of the many T1 brokers on the Internet.
