Posts Tagged ‘Broadband’
The reason businesses use T1 lines vs. Ethernet (Fast, Metro or Gigabit) is because of the differences between these two services. Fast Ethernet refers to the internal network traffic whereas a T1 line is an external to internal network connection. While it may be true that many companies are offering options like fiber to the home, which offer speeds significantly faster than T1 lines, T1 (and its siblings like DS3) still offers many advantages.
The following are advantages of deploying a T1 line over Ethernet:
1. Dedicated – A T1 line is dedicated, while your home network is shared, meaning that depending on the data usage in your area, your speed will fluctuate. For a home user, this is a non-issue, but for a business where servers are mission-critical, you cannot have insufficient bandwidth because there are too many people torrenting in your neighborhood. T1 lines provide dedicated access and often have a higher priority when it comes to uptime and maintenance.
2. Technology Limitations – Ethernet through CAT cable has a limit of 100 meters (328FT). T1 lines can expand further. That’s why ISPs can’t hook your house up with CAT cable. It’s too far.
3. Cheaper – In general, a T1 line is about half the cost of an Ethernet line, but this is only a generalization and it all depends on the location of the network being set up.
It’s also important to know there are differences between a T1 line and Ethernet services. A T1 voice and data line is a form of internet connection while Fast Ethernet is the cabling they used in LAN (Local Area Network) environments, making them more speedy and reliable.
In short, there are many reasons why businesses use T1 for their Internet, but this really is in no way comparable to Fast Ethernet. Your computer’s network card is designed to handle more requests than just the Internet. For example, if you are streaming video from a server on your network, you need significantly more bandwidth than 1 Mbps which is plenty sufficient for anything Internet.
On a future note, some ISPs are beginning to use CAT cable to hook directly into your house. This technology is called Metro Ethernet. Look it up if you want to learn more.
This article isn’t an all-encompassing discussion of the advantages of T1 over Ethernet, but merely a “scratching of the surface” look at what to think about when deciding which service is right for you business’ voice and data network.
Generally speaking, any business looking into what network technology makes the most business sense for their employees, business suites, and conference activities needs to do their homework and not jump without a thorough analysis. For help with that assessment, I strongly suggest taking advantage of the no cost research and support available through USaveTelecom.com.
Using a ‘VoIP’ phone service is a good way of lowering the phone bill. It gets even more cheaper if you can use it with your computer or mobile.Let’s take the example of ‘Skype’, a downloadable Voip service and see how it can be used.
As a ‘VoIP’ service Skype offers free: software, audio and video calls on the network and text messaging. Skype can also be used to call people on their land line and mobile numbers. Here are some its features and drawbacks.
Software Compatibility: It has great compatibility. You can use it with Mac, Linux, Windows, mobiles, ‘WiFi’ phones, cordless phones and I Phone. If you can’t leave your computer on to recieve calls, you can buy a stand alone phone with Skype in it and connect it with your internet connection.
Voice mail: Read your messages from anywhere in the world, store and listen later, personalize greeting messages.
Audio and Video Calls: With this feature, you can call your family, friends or business on the network for free. Similarly, it will not cost you anything to make video calls to people sharing the ’Skype’ network.
Outside Network Calls: For 2.95$/ month you can call within U.S and Canada and for 5.95$/ month you can select a country and make calls to your contacts over there. A world wide plan is also available for 12.95$/ month. Currently they are running a special promotion on 3 or 12 month subscriptions which gives you three months of service in the price of two.
Text Messages: You can type your text message using your keyboard and send the message through your ‘VoIP’ network, showing your own mobile number.
Personal Online Number: This feature is very useful if you have friends and family who do not use the same network. They can call you from their land-line or mobile and only pay their standard call rates. For example, your mother lives in Auckland and you are traveling to Melbourne. You could get a number that is connected to the network. So, when your mother calls you she only pays for the standard call charges.
Call Forwarding: You can receive your calls when you are offline and direct incoming calls to ring on your mobile or phone. If your friend is offline but has activated call forwarding you can reach them when they are away from their computer.
Long Distance Calling: You can call world wide to many countries or choose a specific country and call there with the ‘Skype’ packages.
Note: You can make calls via Skype with the in-built speakers and microphones found on most computers but a headset will give much better audio quality.
Drawbacks
A product like ’Skype’ is competition for AT&T. So, ‘iPhone’ users cannot use the Skype service on high-speed 3G wireless network of ‘AT&T’ ; they can use the ‘Skype’ service only at ‘Wi-Fi’ hot spots.
To my knowledge, customer support staff is not a plus point of Skype. You cannot transfer your existing number to the network, but you can get a new number in your area code (it may take more than one try). 911 is not available with Skype.
Wave Broadband is an internet, phone and cable TV provider. People have taken some time to check on the options they offer for their internet service and so far, what most people saw are variations from real slow to real fast bandwidth (speed).
For the slow speed they offer, the speed is at 256 kbps for the downstream (speed at which your computer receives data) and 128 kbps for the upstream (speed at which your computer sends data). Their high speed can do as much as 18Mbps for the downstream and 2Mbps upstream. In case you are wondering, downstream speed simply refers to the rate at which your computer receives data.
On the other hand, upstream speed refers to the rate at which your computer sends out data and usually has a lower bandwidth than the downstream. The 18Mbps high speed is usually for professionals or business use. So if you are an average consumer but finds the slow speed quite slow, you may choose from their other high-speed options which go for a much lower price but with a considerable speed. For instance, 10Mbps is offered for online gamers and other two cheaper options come with 6Mbps and 1.5 Mbps, all downstream rates.
Payment options are also easy with Wave Broadband. You can do online transactions or go to their payment centres with your monthly bill. Customer care for technical support is 24/7 plus, they offer free house calls. Customer care for payment and billing are at regular hours Mondays through Saturdays (with a few hours extension during weekdays up to 8:00PM) and Sundays (9:00AM to 1PM). Customer service is accessible either by phone, mail or online.