T1 vs. DSL - What's The Difference For Voice and Data Networking
Posted on Thu, Sep 09, 2010 @ 02:30 PM
If you’re looking for broadband internet for your businesses voice and data networking, do you know what it is you’re looking for or what your choices are? The two most popular choices for broadband internet service are DSL and T1.
DSL is a digital line that can reach download speeds of up to 10MB, depending on location and number of subscribers in the area. The biggest concern with DSL is that speeds will vary, depending on the number of users at any given time, and you are not guaranteed to have a full speed or consistent service. The greatest advantage to DSL for SMBs is cost. DSL internet will cost about 10% of the cost of a T1 dedicated line.
A T1 line can be used to transport digital voice and data signals. T1s are designed to handle large amounts of bandwidth, and can comfortably service up to 50 users, with each user having their own bandwidth. T1 lines are guaranteed to deliver 1.5 Mbps by the provider, and your T1 provider should provide an SLA to guarantee both speed and uptime. T1 lines are managed by the provider, rather than in house, which could be an advantage or disadvantage, depending on your internal technical support capabilities and needs.
If reliability is a top concern, or if you expect significant traffic on your voice and data lines, a T1 might be the best choice for your business. On the other hand, if budget is a concern – as it is with most SMBs – using DSL for your internet service will cost less.