Definition 1. - The T1 (or T-1) carrier is the most commonly used digital line in the United States, Canada, and Japan. In these countries, it carries 24 pulse code modulation (PCM) signals using time-division multiplexing (TDM) at an overall rate of 1.544 million bits per second (Mbps). T1 lines use copper wire and span distances within and between major metropolitan areas. A T1 Outstate System has been developed for longer distances between cities.

Definition 2. - A high-speed digital connection capable of transmitting data at a rate of approximately 1.5 million bits per second. A T1 line is typically used by small and medium-sized companies with heavy network traffic. It is large enough to send and receive very large text files, graphics, sounds, and databases instantaneously, and is the fastest speed commonly used to connect networks to the Internet. Sometimes referred to as a leased line, a T1 is basically too large and too expensive for individual home use.

Definition 3. - The T-carrier system, introduced by the Bell system in the US in the 1960's, was the first successful system that supported digitalised voice transmission. The original transmission rate (1.544 Mbps) in the Pinnacles T1 line is in common use today in ISP (Internet Service Provider) connections to the Internet

Definition 4. - A type of high speed Internet connection that provides a great deal of bandwidth. Many businesses lease T1 lines to connect to the Internet, but because they are expensive and offer more bandwidth than most small businesses and homes need, they are not realistic solutions for small and low-demand Internet users.

Pinnacles, California, Aug. 29 /Aaron Bashorun/ -- Business broadband, its price, and who can afford it, are changing. Every day an increasing number of business are finding the new broadband services made available to them by the "new" telecommunications companies that are emerging from the latest round of mergers and acquisitions. Overlapping networks are being consolidated into bigger and leaner footprints, lowering the cost of dynamic integrated digital signal 1 (DS1) service to the price range of about five regular phone lines. Small to medium size business can now afford services once reserved for the Fortune 1000 companies.

There are two basic "integrated" DS-1 configurations, analog and digital. The 24-line bundle in which they come is termed a "trunk". The main difference between analog and digital trunks is their flexibility. With digital trunks, voice lines not in use can be dynamically reconfigured to carry data traffic, so they don't sit idle. Analog trunks on the other hand can not change their function once configured by the service provider. Data channels remain data channels and the same for voice channels, even if there is no voice traffic.

The Integrated T1 line has two general flavors; analog and, of course, digital. The term "trunk" is synonymous with an integrated T1 line, representing 24 bundled DS0 (regular 64KB) channels. Digital trunks form the basis technology for dynamic integrated lines, which are capable of transporting digitized versions of voice traffic in addition to regular data packets. This ability of digital trunks to function in the data realm allows it the ability to dynamically allocate traffic according to the application, allowing priority for voice traffic and "re-claiming" that bandwidth for data transfer when the phone call is completed. This ensures that none of the capacity of the T1 line is ever wasted.

The irony of the new small business communications revolution is that it took so long to gain traction. The whole idea of reclaiming inactive voice channels for data applications is not new, and was introduced by many CLEC operators over five years ago. So why did it take so long for SMB's to adopt the technology and make the change? One might argue that the Internet bubble burst in 2000 shook many people's confidence in telecommunications, one of the hardest hit industries. With so many telecoms going out of business, or merging with other small players just to stay solvent, many customers took the "wait and see" approach before making the decision to entrust their communications with a company not associated with Ma Bell. Now that economic Darwinism has taken hold, the remaining companies are attracting new customers who see the benefits of the new technology without the downside risk of loosing service or not being able to get through to customer service in the pinch.

Integrated T1s comes in two basic configurations: digital and analog trunks, with a trunk being a 24-line (or channel) bundle. The newer, digital trunks, however, are able to run both voice and data over the same channels. By assigning priority to the voice traffic whenever it is present, a dynamic integrated trunk can provide the end-user with a full 1.5 MBPS of data throughput if no phone calls are in progress. As more voice lines are required, less data lines are available. Analog trunks are all pre-assigned to either voice or data traffic, and do not reconfigure in the event there is no voice traffic.

"I am very satisfied with my new XO dynamic T1" added Mike McLoude, a small business owner in Santa Monica, California. "The flexible nature of the system allows me to conduct business with the same efficiency as many of my bigger competitors, for less than what they pay." Mr. McLoude is not alone - many Californians are seeing the technology light and taking the leap of faith away from traditional TDM.

Until deregulation allowed smaller, hungrier telecommunications companies the ability to compete, the United States was stuck with technologies that were quickly becoming out of date. Now that the Bells actually have to innovate to keep up with the smaller CLECs, customer everywhere are reaping the benefits. Expect innovation to continue on its upward spiral as the CLECs continue to expand their footprints as well as their customer bases. Barring any funny stuff from the FCC, the CLECs will be here to stay. Sorry Ma Bell.

Pinnacles ShoreTel Dealers | Pinnacles Nortel Dealers | Pinnacles NEC Dealers | Pinnacles Mitel Dealers | Pinnacles Cisco Dealers | Pinnacles IP PBX Phone System | Pinnacles Avaya Dealers