T1 Internet Access for Dummies
This particular T1 Internet Service continues to be available for more than 4 decades yet never have there been numerous "flavors" available. The amount of vendors has leaped amazingly from deregulation in 1996 from a few dozen to several thousand. As the telecom shakeout that began in 2001 continues most of these businesses are trying to stay afloat by capturing as many customers as possible with cheap solutions they assert to be T1. Do not be fooled!
Numerous frantic companies are putting together inferior solutions they claim are really T1 solutions. Just be wary of products with the strange titles such as "burstable" as well as "reach". These products can be oversubscribed similar to a DSL product. This suggests the provider puts a single T1 connection in a CO (Central Office) and gives T1 connections to 3 or 4 customers banking on the fact that individuals usually do not all use the resource at the same time. True, T1 access implies dedicated access to the web and you always have access to 1.54Mbps.
Make sure your T1 service in Washington is a "clearchannel" item and isn't shared with other users. Also be sure you have an SLA or Service Level Agreement from your supplier. A SLA will specify the access you can get and the penalty the service company will pay on condition that they do not supply this kind of service. If you need assistance, establishing the proper SLA gives you the help of an expert if you don't have one in house. It's much better to spend a small fee up front versus to enter a long term contract with an substandard provider. You can definitely get expert assistance gratis by simply contacting one of the many T1 brokers on the Internet.
