T1/DS3 and fiber connections are used primarily by those businesses that are heavily reliant on the Internet to complete the daily operations of business. T1/DS3 connections are a common go-to for many businesses, but the popularity of fiber is ever increasing. To know which will best suit your business needs, we’ll examine the factors of availability, speed, and reliability, and the cost related to each type of connection.
For more tips on finding a suitable Internet connection for your business, check out our post about things to consider when choosing an ISP.
T1/DS3
FIBER
Availability
Availability for
T1/
DS3 connections are one of its biggest advantages over
fiber-optics. T1/DS3 utilizes the existing copper infrastructure and can typically be installed anywhere.
A
fiber optic connection is available in limited areas–but that’s quickly changing due to the demand of faster speeds. Since fiber utilizes a completely different cable structure than
T1/
DS3, new cabling is required for service; therefore, it may be a while before it covers the same footprint that T1/DS3 provides.
1
Speed
In the recent past,
T1/
DS3 connections were the standard for enterprise business. This technology is delivered over the existing copper infrastructure and can handle speeds from 1.5
Mbps to 45 Mbps. To deliver faster speed, for example, typically two
T1 lines were bonded together to provide a speed of 3 Mbps.
T1/
DS3 are the most comparable to
fiber as they both offer symmetrical speeds. This allows multiple users to perform data-intensive tasks related to uploading and downloading at the exact same time.
Speeds for a
fiber optic connection are nothing short of impressive, ranging from 5
Mbps and 100
Gbps for downloads and uploads!
Fiber is typically a symmetrical connection so you’ll have the same upload and download speed. With an Internet connection like this, multiple users are able to download and upload, share files, and stream audio and video all at the same time with virtually no effect on performance.
1 Latency is generally not an issue with
fiber either.
Reliability
Of all of the Internet connections available, both
T1/
DS3 and
Fiber are arguably the most reliable and of the highest quality. T1/DS3 uses the existing copper infrastructure which sometimes makes them easier to repair. Typical repair times are 2-12 hours, depending upon the outage.
In instances of power outages, it is far less likely than
T1/
DS3 to be affected.
Fiber optic lines use glass as a conductor and therefore experience no interference from high-voltage electrical equipment or nearby power lines, unlike
T1/
DS3, which can generate electricity.
1 Typical repair times are 2-12 hours depending upon the outage.
Cost
Monthly prices for
T1/
DS3 services can range anywhere from $400 to $5000+ a month, depending on the speed you sign up for and the length of your contract. These prices can vary depending on your location, your desired speed and the terms of your service agreement. Phone service is not a requirement; however, you may need additional hardware to utilize the connection. Installation fees and activation fees can occur but are typically waived with promotional offers or the signing of a 1-, 2-, or 3-year agreement.
1 The cost for
fiber-optic is generally much higher than the cost of a
T1/
DS3 connection, ranging from $100 to $5,000+ a month. These prices can vary depending on your location, your desired speed and the terms of your service agreement. Installation fees and activation fees can occur but are typically waived with promotional offers or the signing of a 1-, 2-, or 3-year agreement.
1
DS3:
A DS3, also referred to as a T3 or level 3 T-carrier, is basically equal to about 28 T1 lines. So, essentially, it’s a T1 line beefed up on steroids.
T1:
A T1 line, also known as a T-carrier, is a dedicated DSL business line that provides companies with solid upload speeds and extreme reliability.