| The question of whether DS3 bandwidth is the right | | | | DS3 bandwidth can be a combination of multiple T1 |
| choice for today's business networks is still a valid | | | | services, or a single service type (such as access |
| question. Even in this age of Ethernet frenzy. | | | | from an ISP). DS3s, by definition, are a copper-based |
| The common T1 bandwidth line was ... and still is to a | | | | service, but more and more frequently, |
| degree .... the circuit of choice for most businesses. | | | | Telecommunications Carriers have expanded their |
| Particularly small to medium size business with | | | | fiber optic systems closer to the end user, and |
| manageable voice and data transmission requirements. | | | | DS3-level customers are their highest priority. As such, |
| However, with the explosion of multi-media and other | | | | a large percentage of DS3 circuits are actually all-fiber, |
| bandwidth intensive applications in the business world | | | | but with a DS3 interface point on the light-wave |
| (both voice and data) ... the standard T1 circuit is not | | | | terminating equipment. In other words DS3s can be |
| always the best choice. | | | | provisioned over SONET-based optical systems. |
| As a business's bandwidth requirements increase, the | | | | Not long ago DS3 lines were not cheap. However, |
| next step up is DS3, which is 672 times faster than | | | | DS3 bandwidth prices are dropping as ever-more |
| DS0 and thus transmits 672 voice conversations (or | | | | users need DS3 and competition in this market rises. |
| the equivalent in other data) at once. Today's primary | | | | Here's a tip .... businesses that don't need constant |
| DS3 users are high-traffic Web sites, supply chain | | | | DS3-level bandwidth should consider a "burstable" |
| networks, data intensive applications (think multi-media | | | | connection, which involves sharing DS3 access with |
| including video conferencing), medium to large | | | | another company or companies through the DS3 |
| Web-hosting companies, WISP network grids, medical | | | | provider. This gives access to extremely high |
| centers, call centers, universities, and government | | | | transmission rates for much less than the cost of a full |
| offices for example. | | | | DS3 set-up, because the companies sharing the |
| In short, DS3s are typically used today by many | | | | burstable connection don't usually combine to use all |
| mid-large businesses, as well as Telecommunications | | | | the bandwidth at the same time. |
| carriers for routing traffic throughout their own | | | | Unless you are a trained Telecommunication engineer ... |
| networks. | | | | and most businesses don't have those ... you'll need |
| DS3 lines, also called T3 lines, are becoming more and | | | | help to determine if DS3 bandwidth is the right |
| more common in company networks today. Their high | | | | bandwidth solution for your voice/data newtork |
| capacity (45Mb) makes them sought-after as the | | | | requirements. That can be a risky task without such |
| backbone of today's Internet. Also, DS3 lines are more | | | | assistance ... plus more than a little scary. |
| complex than T1 - technically, they run 28 T1 lines | | | | But you don't need to stress over that effort. To help |
| alongside one another, and that takes extra equipment | | | | navigate that minefield and reach the other end |
| and software to work properly. But even that is easier | | | | unscathed and confident you are doing the right thing .... |
| and cheaper in today's world compared to a short | | | | I strongly recommend taking advantage of the NO |
| time ago. | | | | COST support provided by DS3 Bandwidth Solution. |