Definition 1. - 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 Leota T1 line is in common use today in ISP (Internet Service Provider) connections to the Internet

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 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 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.

Leota, Minnesota, Sep. 25 /Michael Johnson/ -- The digital universe, and the way people connect to it, is changing. Small businesses, in particular, are discovering new high-speed Internet and telecom options that are now squarely within their budgets. Through a myriad of mergers and acquisitions, telecommunication providers have greatly enhanced their integrated T1 products with features that businesses can't live without, all while dropping the price to about half of what they were just two years ago.

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.

"Even though we have been witnessing the re-consolidation of AT&T, we will never go back to the dark ages of telecom where customers were stuck with bad customer service and high prices" commented Troy Karlson, telecom analyst for e-STAR. "The competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), all whom own their own networks and compete directly with the Bells, have created products such as dynamic T1 service that enables its customers to connect to the Internet at 1.5 MBPS and have up to 24 regular voice lines, packed with a feature-rich suite of add-ons, all for under what it costs to have 6 regular phone lines from Qwest/AT&T/Verizon.

When asked about his recent decision to replace his TDM channelized T1 with a SIP-enabled dynamic T1, Robert Probst, small business owner in San Diego, explained that "it was really an easy decision to make. My business was growing and I couldn't afford the cost of more voice trunks. When I learned that it was possible to have up to 16 voice lines, and a full data T1 of high speed Internet bandwidth, all on the same line, for under $500 - I was sold. I ended up expanding the telecom capability of my business, improving the quality of my Internet connection, and saved money while doing it."

"The real benefit I've seen since upgrading to a dynamic integrated T1 from Nuvox Communications is simplicity" commented Johan Sebastian, a small business owner in Clearwater, Florida. "My phones work great, my internet is fast, and the best part is the reliability; I haven't had a single outage since I signed up for the new service over a year ago. Before when we had DSL and POTS lines, every day was an adventure."

Once a forgotten segment of the business telecommunication landscape, small to medium size businesses are finally being serviced with products (like the dynamic integrated T1 line) at prices they can afford. Gone are the days when the Bells can shove TDM services down the collective throats of SMB's at prices that resemble a mortgage rather than a telephone service. Will this train of innovation, lower prices, and services that add value to SMB's continue to roll down the tracks of progress? It's all up to our government - and which political party controls the FCC. Without the deregulation act of 1996, we would have never known just how much the CLECs were capable of.

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