T1-T3-DSL-line : Solutions Chart

Technology	Speed	Description	Application	Pros	Cons	Price
ADSL	768Kbps to 6.1 Mbps downstream. Upstream speeds range from 64Kbps-1Mbps.	The most common type of DSL. Deployed over a copper wire pair in conjunction with an analog phone line.	Commercial and consumer Internet service. Popular with consumers because of low-cost, short provisioning times and high download speeds.	High-speed access at a relatively low-cost. Availability is approaching 70% in most major metropolitan areas. Installation times are often less than 30days.	Not available in all areas. Slow upload speed. Bandwidth is aggregated at the Central Office and is subject to oversubscription. Not ideal for businesses or heavy users.	Consumer services starts at $50
SDSL	Up to 2.3Mbps both ways.	A form of HDSL, provisioned over a single twisted-pair of copper wire at distances up to 12,000 feet.	Ideal for businesses due to symmetrical data transmission speeds and advanced features such as multiple IP addresses.	High-speed access at a low-cost when compared to T-1. Often provides more features than ADSL.	Not available in all areas. Bandwidth is aggregated at the Central Office and is subject to oversubscription. More costly and longer install times than ADSL.	Business service starts at $80 and can be as high as $500 monthly.
Frame Relay	56 Kbps - 1.544 Mbps	A high-speed, packet based, data transmission service used in wide area networks (WANs) to connect multiple locations.	Used to connect multiple locations to a main location or to each other.	Cheaper alternative to private line connections. Ability to burst when needed. Widely available.	Up-front equipment cost can be prohibitive.	Monthly cost starts at $500 per location. Price climbs as speed increases.
VPN	56 Kbps - 1.544 Mbps	VPN is a software-defined network that runs over a shared public network and offers the appearance, functionality and usefulness of a dedicated private network, at a price savings.	A highly flexible method of communicating between locations via a secure tunnel on a large public network. Is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to Frame Relay and Private Line.	A user can access the network from any Internet connection. VPNs often cost less and are more flexible and scaleable than competing technologies.	The availability and performance of a company's WAN is largely dependant on factors outside of their control.	Prices mirror that of dial-up or dedicated Internet Access. Cost of the VPN tunneling and encrypting is nominal.
Fractional T-1	128 Kbps - 1.544 Mbps	Same service as a full T-1 provisioned in increments of 64 Kbps. A full T-1 is 1.544 Mbps or 24 channels, Fractional T-1s start at 128 Kbps or 2 channels.	Used to connect a company to the Internet when less than a full T-1 is required. Circuit runs from the location into the Internet.	Provides access straight into the carrier's backbone. Unlike DSL and Cable Modem, there is no aggregation. Fractional T-1s have unused channels which can be turned up on demand.	Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive.	Starts at approx. $400/month. Required router is additional.
T-1	1.544 Mbps	A 24 channel cirucit that can be used for Frame Realy, Private Line, VPN or, most commonly, Internet access.	Connects a company's LAN into the Internet or carrier's Frame Realy network.	Provides access straight into the carrier’s backbone. Only slightly more expensive than a Fractional T-1. 99% availability in U.S. Very reliable.	Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive.	Approx. $900-$1,200/month. Required router is additional.
E-1 (Europe)	2.048 Mbps	The European equilivent of the T-1.	Connects a company's LAN into the Internet or carrier's Frame Realy network.	Provides access straight into the carrier’s backbone. Very reliable.	Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive.	Starts at $2,000/month
Fractional T-3	3 Mbps - 44.736 Mbps	A fraction of a full DS-3, which is comprised of 28 T-1s or 672 channels.	Provides access from a location into the Internet for a large business or ISP (Internet Service Provider).	Provides very high speed access directly into the carrier's backbone. Bandwidth guaranteed by SLA (Service Level Agreement). Very reliable.	Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive.	Starts at $3,000/month not including the local loop.
T-3	44.736 Mbps	A dedicated connection made up of the equivalent of 28 T-1s.	Provides access from a location into the Internet for a large business or ISP (Internet Service Provider).	Circuit runs directly into the carrier's backbone. Bandwidth guaranteed by SLA (Service Level Agreement). Very reliable.	Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive.	Starts at $10,000/month for the 45 Mbps. Local loops range from $2,000 - $4,000/month.
E-3 (Europe)	34.368 Mbps	European equivalent of T-3. Made up of the equivalent of 28 T-1s.	Provides access from a location into the Internet for a large business or ISP (Internet Service Provider).	Circuit runs directly into the carrier's backbone. Bandwidth guaranteed by SLA (Service Level Agreement). Very reliable.	Setup and monthly costs can be prohibitive.	Starts at $15,000/month for the 35 Mbps.
OC-3	155.52 Mbps	Optical carrier (fiber) connected by equipment capable of speeds up to 155.52 Mbps.	Large enterprise or ISP backbone.	Extremely high speed and throughput.	Extremely high cost.	Tens of thousands of dollars a month, not including local loop or extensive setup.
OC-12	622.08 Mbps	Optical carrier (fiber) connected by equipment capable of speeds up to 155.52 Mbps.	Large enterprise or ISP backbone.	Extremely high speed and throughput.	Extremely high cost.	Several hundred thousand dollars a month, plus several hundred thousand dollars in setup costs.
OC-48	2.488 Gbps (Gigabytes per second)	Optical carrier (multiple strands of fiber) connected by equipment capable of speeds up to 2.488 Mbps.	Large enterprise or ISP backbone.	Extremely high speed and throughput.	Extremely high cost.	Several hundred thousand dollars a month, plus several hundred thousand dollars in setup costs.