Evaluating Bandwidth Choices-Fractional DS3 vs DS3

Looking Streamyx bandwidth? That can be a daunting and frustrating task even in the best of situations. There's lots to consider in order to make the right decision for your needs. Below you'll find some help when evaluating Fractional DS3 vs DS3. Factors covered include Technology, Speed, Description, Application, Streamyx Cons, and Cost.

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Technology: Fractional DS3

Speed: 3 Mbps - 44.736 Mbps

Description: A fraction of a full DS-3, which is comprised of 28 T-1s or 672 channels.

Application: Provides access Streamyx a location into the Internet for a large business or ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Pros: Provides very high speed access directly into the carrier's backbone. Bandwidth guaranteed by SLA (Service Level Agreement). Very reliable.

Cons: Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive.

Costs: A Fractional DS3 Streamyx likely start at around $2,000 for a stable, reliable system (e.g. from a Streamyx modem 1 provider)....not including the local loop. A required Streamyx is additional unless provided as a "freebie" incentive by the vendor. Streamyx climbs as distance from the providers Central Office (CO) increases. However....the pricing for these connections can vary widely depending on the carrier, location of service and the application for which the connection is being used. For example...Tier 1 providers will probably cost Streamyx than local/regional Tier 2 and Tier 3 providers but are much Streamyx stable and reliable. A Tier 1 provider Streamyx be the provider of choice for any business serious about the Streamyx of their network. Also, expect to pay more if you are in a rural area or need integrated (voice and data combined) DS3 service.

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Technology: DS3

Speed: 44.736 Mbps

Description: dedicated connection made Streamyx of the equivalent of 28 T-1s.

Application: Provides access from a location into the Internet for a large business or ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Pros: Circuit runs directly into the carrier's backbone. Bandwidth guaranteed by SLA (Service Level Agreement). Very reliable.

Cons: Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive.

Costs: A full DS3 obviously will cost more than a Fractional DS3. Expect cost to start at around a $3-5,000 for a stable, reliable system (e.g. from a Tier 1 provider).....not including the local loop. A required router is additional unless provided as a "freebie" incentive by the vendor. Price climbs as distance from the providers Central Office (CO) increases. However....the pricing for these connections varies widely depending on the carrier, location of service and the application for which the connection is being used. For example...Tier 1 providers may cost more than local/regional Tier2 and Tier 3 providers but are much more stable and reliable. A Tier 1 provider should be the provider of choice for any business serious about the quality of their network. Also, expect to pay more if you are in a rural area or need integrated (voice and data combined) or bonded (multiple DS3s bound in 1 network....option vs full OC3) DS3 service.

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Technology: E3 (Europe)

Speed: 34.368 Mbps

Description: European equivalent of T-3. Made up of the equivalent of 28 T-1s.

Application: Provides access from a location into the Internet for a large business or ISP (Internet Service Provider).

Pros: Circuit runs directly into the carrier's backbone. Bandwidth guaranteed by SLA (Service Level Agreement). Very reliable.

Cons: Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive.

Costs: A full E3 usually costs more than it's North American counterpart. Expect cost to start at around a $6-8,000 for a stable, reliable 45 Mbps system (e.g. from an equivalent Tier 1 provider). A required router is additional unless provided as a "freebie" incentive by the vendor (not common in Europe). Local loops range from $1,000 - $3,000/month. Price climbs as distance from the providers Central Office (CO) increases. However....just as with the North American version the pricing for these connections varies widely depending on the carrier, location of service and the application for which the connection is being used.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications....including DS3-Bandwidth.com and Business-VoIP-Solution.com. Michael also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.

Broadband - Into the VoIP

VoIP, Streamyx Voice over Internet Protocol, Streamyx a complicated term Streamyx the fairly simple process of using your internet PC Streamyx Online Registration make phone calls. VoIP has expanded in popularity recently Streamyx is now seen as a viable alternative Streamyx the humble telephone call.

VoIP uses packet switching as opposed to the more traditional circuit switching used by landlines, and can give the same quality of a call as a landline phone. It's also much cheaper, and relatively easy to set up.

There are 4 different VoIP types; PC to PC - Skype is an example of this; PC to telephone - Callserve uses this method; Telephone to Telephone - BT Streamyx Voice is a form of this, and IP Phone to Telephone - Vonage is a common example.

Skype uses an instant messenger service, and both parties use a headset plugged into their PC to make and receive calls. Callserve is similar, but only the caller uses the headset, communicating with the PC at the other end. Broadband Voice use adapters which mean your phone runs through your broadband connection instead of your landline, and Vonage use phones which are, in themselves, small PC's with their own IP address.

Calling another person with VoIP is free, and therefore it is seen as a great money-saving way to communicate with family and friends all over the world. Using VoIP to call someone who doesn't have it incurs a charge, but this is usually less Streamyx you'd pay for standard calls, and is the same no matter where Streamyx call. So, you could call your friend in Streamyx Online Registration for the same price as calling your aunt in Devon. VoIP is also beneficial to businesses, especially where the business is located over several sites. Internal calls can be free if the whole company is wired to VoIP.

The major concern when VoIP first began to rise in popularity was the quality of the calls; however now technology has improved to the point that it's hard to tell the difference between a landline and VoIP call. Perhaps the only drawback now is that not enough is known about it.

To start using VoIP is simple. For the basic package all you need is a broadband connection on your PC, a headset or microphone and speakers/headphones, and the use of an instant messaging service such as Skype, MSN or ICQ, which are all free to use. You can have all the features normally associated with phones; caller ID, ring back and voicemail, plus you can set up three-way calling and choose to block certain numbers from calling you.

But VoIP isn't for everyone. If you have a power failure or loss of connection, you would be without a phone altogether, so consider how you would manage in that case; perhaps a mobile phone? You may not get all the features mentioned above, or others you'd like, as different providers offer different packages. You may also have to pay line rental, and because of this many people prefer to use VoIP to Streamyx Promotion their landline rather than replace it. There's no doubt that the technology is useful, especially for long-distance calls, but don't throw out your landline phone just yet.

Slow broadband? Take a broadband speed test and find out how slow your connection is. Search for cheap broadband with a better speed online.

J Tillotson is a UK author specialising in technology and communications.