An Internet T3 line, also referred to as a DS3 line, is a high-speed connection capable of transmitting data at speeds of up to 45 Mb per second. A single T3 line is comprised of 28 T1 lines, each operating at a total signaling rate of 1.54 Mb per second, and is equivalent to 672 traditional voice-grade phone lines, each of which supports 64 Kb per second. As a result, an Internet T3 connection can easily transmit real-time, full-motion video as well as large documents and files over a network.
As the second fastest, non-optical connection offered in North America, T3 lines are frequently installed as a major networking artery for organizations with high-volume network traffic, such as:
- Universities
- Large enterprises
- Software development corporations
- Video conference and call centers
- Research labs
- Internet service providers
A T3 line is a great solution for those who demand more than a standard T1 line offers. Available in both full and fractional increments, Internet T3 service is the ideal choice for anyone requiring large-scale bandwidth on an as-needed basis, supporting Web hosting, or hosting high-traffic websites. What’s more is that they ordinarily incorporate Service Level Agreements (SLAs) that guarantee high-quality performance and up to 99.999% uptime.
In addition, T-line connections can be used to integrate multiple services, including both voice and data. For example, integrated T1 and T3 lines are regularly employed for dedicated Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, replacing the standard telephone company. This allows you to allocate a specific number channels to data, and the rest to voice calls, providing you with potentially significant cost-savings and superior call quality.
When it comes to pricing, a T-line connection is comprised of two monthly charges: the port and the local loop. The local loop charge is the cost the local incumbent charges to transport the signal from your Central Office (CO) to the Point-of-Presence (POP) of the provider. The port charge is the fee to access the Internet or telephone network through the carrier’s network. Generally, the loop price is based on geography – the father the CO and POP, the higher the loop costs – while the port price is based upon access speed and the length of your contract. With that said, almost every provider prices loops differently, so it would be in your best interest to price a T1 or T3 line with multiple providers.
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