Applications For DS3 Bandwidth
It's obvious that the common T1 connection can't handle this
growth. Your best option is to research application of a DS3
bandwidth solution.
A DS3 (sometimes referred to as a T3 or E3) is a leased private
dedicated line that goes directly from your office to an
Internet Service Provider (ISP). A T3/DS3 connection is
equivalent to 28 T1/DS1 connections and uses digital signals on
fiber-optic cable at speeds of 45 million bps (bits per second)
or 44.736 megabits per second. Generally this type of dedicated
line is for 50-100+ users and/or high bandwidth applications.
T3/DS3 connections can also be used for point to point access
(direct connection between 2 business sites).
As a standard used in the North American and Japanese
marketplaces, a DS3 can handle 672, 64Kbps voice conversations
or one video data channel. The DS3 line has enough bandwidth to
transmit full-motion real-time videos and very large databases
over a busy network. Generally a DS3 line would be installed as
a major networking channel for a large corporation, research
facility, or university with high volume network traffic. But
there are multiple smaller scale business uses
also....particularly when multiple locations are involved.
Bandwidth for a Fractional T3, up to a full T3, generally run at
speeds between 6 Mbps through 45 Mbps.
DS3 connection (or T3 connection), is great for companies with
large bandwidth needs. It is especially useful as the backbone
for Disaster Recovery systems. If your company needs computer
access for 50 + users, or needs to run high bandwidth
applications like video conferencing, you are likely in the
market for a T3/DS3 connection. A T3/DS3 line is also a viable
solution for companies looking to resell bandwidth to their
customers.
The common T1 line can handle 24 simultaneous voice calls or a
high speed Internet connection speed of 1.54 Mbps. This is
usually the solution of choice for small to mid size businesses.
A DS3 line can handle 672 simultaneous voice calls or provide a
high speed Internet connection of 45 Mbps. The T3/DS3 is
typically used by high end data and voice customers as it is the
equivalent of 28 T1 lines or 672 voice lines.
Most DS3 circuits are "fractional", meaning a portion of the
circuit. A DS3 is capable of 45 megabits per second. Fractional
DS3s are usually, 8 megabit per second which is equal to about
five (5) T1s. Today this is more than fast enough for most all
business needs.
The cost of the DS3 circuit is always mileage based. Generally
speaking the farther the distance from your ISPs Central Office
(CO) connection the more it will cost. On top of that there is
often a bandwidth usage charge.
DS3 service can be deployed for a wide variety of applications.
The most common uses are DS3 point-to-point (tying 2 distinct
business locations together), DS3 internet (data), DS3 frame
relay, DS3 voice, and DS3 VPN. The pricing for these connections
varies widely depending on the carrier, location of service and
the application for which the connection is being used. Using a
free rate quote research service such as DS3- Bandwidth.com will
allow you to obtain current pricing for your location.
About the author:
Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including
DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.c
om. Michael also authors Broadband
Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up
on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblin