T1 or DS3 - When should you switch?
The simple answer is - if you are approaching 8 T1 lines then you should look into a DS3 connection.
8 T1’s give you 12.352Mbits of bandwidth a DS3 gives you 44.736Mbits of bandwidth(equivalent of 28 T1 lines), the cost however of 8 separate T1’s fast approaches the cost of 1 DS3. DS3 connections like T1 connections are exceptionally reliable, however if you move from multiple T1 lines to a DS3 it is worth having a PRI T1 as backup incase something happens to your DS3.
What can you expect to pay for a DS3? Just like a T1 the cost varies mainly based on distance from the Central Office, so anywhere between $3000-$5000 a month.
If 44Mbits is a too much bandwidth - if there is such a thing 
there are fractional DS3 connections just like fractional T1. Fractional DS3 lines are probably more common than full DS3 connections. Not only is the cost a factor when migrating form multiple T1 lines to fractional DS3 but fractional DS3 also has an advantage in that it lends itself nicely to upgrading your bandwidth as required, since no extra cables or installation has to be done. The cost of a fractional DS3 typically starts at $2000 probably a lot less than the cost of 8 T1’s and probably approaching the cost of 4 T1’s.
Get a free DS3 or fractional DS3 quote and see how you can reduce the cost of your communication needs.
Whichvoip Team
February 25th, 2007 at 7:19 am
I strongly agree. The use of T3 connections defintely outweights the use of T1 connections for an evovling cooporation. But with the use of T1 connections starting businesses may be able to have high speed online connections for a relative low price.
Fred