Bonded T1
What is a bonded T1?In the early 1990's, when the internet first became popular, more and more businesses started migrating from legacy communication such as voice calls, traveling to see clients, and sending mail through to more advanced methods of instant messaging, web cams, and email. This forced providers to find a less expensive way to provide less expensive internet solutions to consumers and businesses. The boom of always on DSL connections and Cable providers extending internet to consumers and businesses took over; however, had some limitation.
DSL (digital subscriber line) utilized existing copper wiring on the telephone network to provide faster, yet limited, internet connections to consumers and businesses. However, the upload and download speeds were not guaranteed by the providers based on number of subscribers, time of day saturation, and distance from central office. These connections were a benefit to consumers and home users; however, businesses still needed something better.
Service providers then utilized copper wiring over the telephone network to provide 1.5Mbps connections to businesses. This allowed businesses to get guaranteed speeds of upload and download to 1.5Mbps. T1 circuits were first introduced to perform one static function, that being only voice connection or only internet or data connection. As providers evolved and so did infrastructure equipment, providers started accommodating for a more flexible and dynamic solution over the T1 which included both voice and internet. This allowed clients to consolidate down to one circuit and optimize their resources and monthly expenditures.
Internet service providers (ISPs) took it a step further when clients continued to crave larger bandwidth connections. Providers would have to spend a lot of money to upgrade their networks to fiber; therefore, they combined multiple copper T1 circuits together to provider larger internet connections at a more cost-effective pricing model. If this wasn't done, then the pricing of larger bandwidth would have stayed very costly as server providers would need to run fiber as well as upgrade all infrastructure equipment. This was the perfect alternative to guaranteeing upload and download speeds for businesses. The bonded T1 allows more businesses to get access to lower cost internet solutions around the world as this leverages existing copper infrastructure.
How much internet speed can I get off a bonded T1 solution?Providers are offering 3Mbps, 4.5 Mbps, 6 Mbps, or up to 10 Mbps off bonded T1s. If one of the T1s fails, the speeds to the business are degraded and the local underlying carrier has to resolve the T1 issue. Service providers typically use Adtran 904 or 908 as well as Cisco IAD solutions to mux or merge T1s together.
Can I get voice and internet over bonded T1 connections?Yes. More and more providers all businesses to share both voice and internet service off of these circuits. Clients with legacy phone systems do not have to rip and replace to leverage voice over bonded T1s and conversion devices are placed onsite to convert handoff to POTs or voice PRI.
If you are interested in utilizing T1 circuits to unify your voice and data services, call (877) 598-399 or email us at sales@convergedsystems.com.