Business Internet Service Glossary
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Business Internet Service Terms and Definitions
The following is a brief list of business Internet terms and their definitions:
Bonded T1: Bonded T1 services combine two or more T1 lines to increase bandwidth. A single T1 line provides users with approximately 24 individual channels. When two T1 lines are bonded, approximately 46 individual channels can be used. This is an increase from 1.5Mbs to 3Mbs. If a company is using six or more bonded T1 lines, though, DS3 connections actually provide a more efficient business Internet solution.
Burstable Internet Service: Burstable Internet Service allows you to purchase a specific amount of bandwidth. This enables you to use T1 or DS3 services without paying for bandwidth you’re not going to use. However, the full amount of bandwidth is available to you, so if you exceed your limit your business Internet service will continue to function at an optimum level. However, you will most likely be charged overage fees. Burstable Internet service pricing functions much in the same way as the majority of cell phone plans on the market.
Cable Internet Service: Cable business Internet services provide enough bandwidth to manage operations for the majority of small companies. However, data transfer rates with cable Internet services can be unreliable. When you use cable Internet services, you’re sharing a connection with other users. This means as traffic escalates, response time can quickly decrease. This “rush hour” aspect of cable Internet service can cause substantial slow downs during “peak” hours of use. Transfer rates for cable are typically 1.5 Mbps down and 400-600 Kbps up, but these rates can actually flip during times of high usage. Cable Internet services aren’t generally effective for companies in which data is mission critical.
Dedicated Internet Service: Dedicated Internet services such as T1 or DS3 provide you with a connection that is truly your own. Unlike with cable and other internet services, transfer rates of T1 and DS3 don’t alter during peak hours. Rates (1.5Mbs) are also the same for receiving and sending data. Dedicated Internet service is like having your own lane on the highway during rush hour. While others are sitting bumper-to-bumper, you can drive right by.
Dial up Internet Service: Dial up Internet, while not extinct, no longer has a place in a business environment. If you need Internet just to check email or occasionally read a news story and you don’t mind waiting extended periods of time, dial up will work for you.
DSL Internet Service: Like cable, DSL provides rates that approach those of T1. However, DSL’s reliability is a question of geography. If you’re located close enough (appx. 10,000 cable feet) to the service provider’s central office you can enjoy relatively consistent rates and performance. However, if you move beyond the magic spot, DSL Internet service can slow down substantially and you can encounter a variety of other problems such as intermittent outages. DSL is also designed to receive data much faster than it sends data with rates of 1.5 Mbps down but only 64–640 Kbps up.
DS3: Like T1, DS3 provides dedicated Internet service. DS3 actually provides businesses with the equivalent of 28 individual T1 lines, and it functions at rates of up to 45Mbps. DS3 is highly effective for traditional data transfers as well as video transfers. DS3 services are designed for companies that need more power than standard T1 and other Internet services can provide. DS3 also offers an efficient, affordable option for businesses that foresee a large growth spurt coming in the future.
Dynamic Internet Service: Dynamic Internet service allows you to pay only for the bandwidth you use. This can be an effective option for companies that don’t usually require the full amount of T1 or DS3 bandwidth, but experience seasonal or irregular spikes in data usage. Dynamic Internet service is often used by companies that have occasional promotions that substantially drive up usage in a short amount of time.
Fractional T1: When a T1 connection is split between parties (usually 2), it is called a partial, or fractional T1. While fractional T1 connections used to save businesses money, because of advances in the telecommunications industry the can actually end up costing your business more. Read here to find out why fractional T1 can cost more in the long run.
Integrated T1 Service: Integrated T1 allows you to combine voice and data on a single T1 line. You still get the speed, reliability, and flexibility of T1, but you’re not forced to pay for both voice and data connections. Integrated T1 services are a perfect choice for smaller companies in which voice or data is critical. To learn more about Integrated T1 service options visit our Integrated T1 Services Buyer’s Guide.
T1 Internet Service: T1 is a dedicated service, which means that you’re not sharing your connection with anyone else. A single T1 line is the equivalent of 24 individual phone or dial up lines. T1 functions more efficiently than cable and DSL services, while providing consistent transfer rates of approximately 1.5 Mbps both up and down regardless of the time of day. T1 Internet services are essential for companies in which data is mission critical. There is simply a level of reliability with T1 Internet services that you won’t find with cable or DSL. T1 connections have been in use for over 20 years, and companies of all sizes have benefited from T1 during that time.
To learn more about all of your business Internet options click here and read our Business Internet Service Buyer’s Guide.
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