DS3 vs Multiple T1 Lines
Bonding T1 lines for greater bandwidth is a good value up to about
8x or 9x bonding. Above that, it makes better economic sense to
order DS3 service over fiber or T3 copper line. In metropolitan
areas with high levels of buildout, the decision point may be
less than 8 T1 lines.
Colocation is Often Cost Effective
Bandwidth
Colocation is locating your servers in a colocation facility,
also known as a carrier hotel. Advantages of this approach include
ready availability of low cost bandwidth including DS3, Carrier
Ethernet and SONET Fiber Optic OCx options. These data centers
also offer backup power, environmental control and high levels
of security.
Dedicated DS3 Internet Access
Business broadband via DS3 dedicated Internet service offers 45
Mbps of upload and download capability. That's enough to support
a medium size or larger office, including file transfers, email
and Web browsing, video conferencing and real-time ecommerce activities.
How DS3 Relates to OC3
DS3 is a digital signal level originally developed to support
the copper based T-Carrier digital telephone trunking system.
DS3 offers about 45 Mbps of bandwidth . OC3 is a SONET optical
carrier standard running at about 155 Mbps. An OC3 link can transport
up to 3 separate DS3 services.
What is Fractional DS3 Service?
Fractional DS3, as the name implies, is a fraction of the full
DS3 bandwidth of 45 Mbps. Companies order fractional DS3 when
they don't need or want to pay for the full bandwidth offered
by DS3. Even with fractional DS3, you still need the full coaxial
or optical hardware support for 45 Mbps signaling. At low fractional
requirements, bonded T1 lines offer a more cost effective solution.