| Many homes now have a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) | | | | charges. Burstable DS3 is another option, meaning a |
| installed for the purpose of accessing the Internet and | | | | user can operate at slower speeds during the day and |
| to send and receive E-mail. Most of these people now | | | | then switch to full speed at a pre-arranged time and |
| have a fair idea of the meaning of bandwidth. | | | | duration agreed between the client and the service |
| Because of this, DS3 Bandwidth should be easier to | | | | provider. |
| explain. | | | | The DS3 connection can transport full-motion real-time |
| Earlier circuits were known by the classifications T1, T2 | | | | video together with large company databases, on the |
| and T3 and these applied to the equipment used to | | | | busiest of networks. The traffic from many large |
| process the signals. Now, there are DS1, DS2 and DS3 | | | | companies and from universities, usually very high |
| classifications which are equivalent to the earlier | | | | volume, can be easily transported on these lines. Other |
| classes but refer instead to the rate and the format of | | | | users like those who supply VoIP and PBX systems, |
| the signal itself. The DS code is a Digital Signal code | | | | call centres, video conferencing, research facilities and |
| and the DS3 designation is the same as the former T3 | | | | software development could make very good use of |
| circuit. | | | | these lines. |
| Running at 45 Mbps, full DS3 circuits are faster by | | | | Two different monthly charges apply to these lines. |
| approximately 90 times compared to a normal DSL | | | | One charge is for a local loop, that portion of the line |
| line. This is the equivalent of 90 people using the | | | | from a users office to the nearest local exchange. |
| Internet, or any application, all at the same time and | | | | The remaining charge is for port rental, enabling |
| enjoying similar response times as a single user at | | | | access to the network owned by the carrier. Charges |
| home on an ordinary DSL line. DS3 is able to run over | | | | for the local loop portion often vary and are dependant |
| twenty times the speed of a T1 connection which | | | | upon the clients distance from the local exchange. |
| makes it an excellent choice for companies requiring | | | | By combining 28 DS1 signals together, then multiplexing |
| high speed data transfers between their branches and | | | | this group to form 7 DS2 signals which are then again |
| head office. | | | | multiplexed, a single DS3 Bandwidth line can be |
| Fractional DS3 may be used if the full 45 Mbps is not | | | | established from the entire package. This is a line that |
| required. This means the user can utilize a portion of | | | | is able to carry the equivalent data for 672 telephone |
| the bandwidth at a slower speed to cut down on the | | | | conversations. |