T1 Internet Access for Dummies
The T1 Internet Service has long been around for over 4 decades yet never have there been so many "flavors" offered. The quantity of providers has leaped amazingly from deregulation in 1996 from a few dozen to several thousand. Since the telecom shakeout that began in 2001 continues most of these companies are attempting to stay afloat by capturing as many clients as possible with cheap solutions they claim being T1. Don't be fooled!
Lots of the frantic companies are putting together substandard solutions they claim are really T1 solutions. Be wary of products with the weird titles similar to "burstable" as well as "reach". These items are oversubscribed very similar to a DSL product. This means the provider puts a single T1 link in a CO (Central Office) and provides T1 connections to three or 4 customers hoping individuals usually do not all make use of the resource at the same time. True, T1 access implies sole access to the web and you always have access to 1.54Mbps.
Make sure the T1 product in San Marcos is a "clearchannel" product and isn't shared with different clients. Also be sure you 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 pays if they do not supply such service. If you need assistance, establishing the correct SLA gives you the help of an expert in case you don't have one already. It's much better to spend a tiny price up front than to enter a long term contract with an inferior carrier. You can definitely receive expert assistance free of charge by simply contacting one of the many T1 brokers on the web.
