T3 Terminology, DS3 Technology and How to Shop Wisely

So you have heard of a DS3 or T3 and not sure quite what they are, never fear, you have came to the right spot. Most people that I talk to think that a T3 is 3 T1's and that is not the case. A DS3 Line or T3 Internet is a digital signal communication dedicated circuit that transmits data at speeds of 44.736 Mbps (Mega Bits Per Second), rounded up to 45MB exclusively to an Internet backbone via an ISP. Even though a T3/DS3 (T-3/DS-3) may be divided into 672 separate channels that are commonly referred to as DS0's which each transmit data at a speed of 64 Kbps, an Internet T3 is delivered in a consolidated system that includes all channels into a single 44.736 high speed data pipe. Unlike a Fair Access Policy that most ISP's are enforcing now, Internet T3 service offers an unlimited throughput of 45 Mbps for businesses that require a demand for High-Speed Bandwidth connectivity. Dynamic DS3's or Burstable T3 Internet service provides a unique cost solution for businesses that have irregular Internet bandwidth utilization patterns but need to sustain a certain level of bandwidth throughput under the ISP Service Level Agreement or SLA. Now for a little technical background, the North American standard for Digital Signal Level 3 or DS-3 states that an Internet T3, or often written T-3, is equivalent to 28 T1 Lines and is referred to as having 45 Mbps per DS3 circuit. T3's run on a fiber optic backbone or a wireless microwave transmission over long distances and are delivered at the customer premise that terminates coaxial cable and via RF (Radio Frequency) with a BNC (Bayonet Neill-Concelman) connector. DS3 Internet services are also sold by many carriers as a Fractional DS-3 that have speeds that range from 10 Mbps to 45 Mbps. Ethernet Service is gradually taking over the T3 market when 10 Mbps or more bandwidth is required if fiber is available to the customer premise. 3MB Ethernet can be delivered over copper for lower bandwidth requirements. Be leery of low cost DS3 circuits that are really oversubscribed connections, it is best to consult a professional before rushing into a long term agreement with an ISP (internet Service Provider) or WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider). Thanks, Ron

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