T1 Internet Service Do's and Dont's

Written by: Patrick Oborn - Mar 9, 2010

T1 internet service is as ubiquitous as DVD players but the choices are much more varied. Ready to learn the basics and find a connections? In general, T-1 is a member of the T-carrier system. T-carrier is a communications system used for carrying voice and data transmissions in a digital format. T-1 meets the needs of businesses having multiple users on a system requiring fast speed and broad bandwidth. For a fixed monthly rate, businesses with 20 or more users can communicate via both voice and data. A Full T1 can accommodate as many as 24 users working at 64 Kbps.

T1 is made up of 24 digital channels. This requires a digital connection device (CSU/DSU {customer switching unit/digital switching unit}) to connect to four wires to carry the information. All T1 lines require that a Channel Service Unit (CSU) be connected between your Data Terminal Equipment (DTE), i.e., a personal computer, and the T-1 line. A CSU serves both as a surge protector (to protect your equipment from voltage anomalies such as lightning) and a monitor of the line itself.

As mentioned previously, a T1 connection is capable of delivering 1.5Mbps. DSL connections are also capable of delivering this speed however they are not nearly as reliable as a T1 connection and should not be considered as a business connection, unless it's SDSL and even then, you will likely have some downtime. If you have critical information being hosted in your office or have a large number of users accessing the internet on a regular basis, consider getting a T1 connection. Also remember to get a professional's assistance when you search for your provider. Each company will tell you their connection is the best available but a broker will act as your agent and help you find what's right for you.