Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have three primary broadband options today: Cable, T1 lines, and Ethernet over Copper (EoC). While their costs are relatively similar, each offers distinct advantages. Let’s explore these options further.

T1 lines, a long-standing choice for SMBs, utilize half-century-old telephone industry technology. This technology transmits digital signals across standard copper telephone wiring. A T1 line consists of two copper pairs, one for uploads and the other for downloads, achieving a consistent speed of 1.5 Mbps.

The structure of a T1 line accommodates 24 separate channels called DS0s. These channels can operate independently or combine to form a larger broadband connection. The most prevalent type of T1 telephone line is the T1 PRI or ISDN PRI, offering 23 dedicated phone lines plus a channel for signaling and Caller ID functionality.

A broadband T1 line provides a symmetrical bandwidth of 1.5 Mbps, ensuring equal upload and download speeds. This line can establish a private connection between two business sites or link to the internet or another network, such as a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) cloud. An internet connection using this setup is referred to as a dedicated T1 connection, guaranteeing the full bandwidth remains available solely for your business needs.

Ethernet over Copper (EoC) has emerged as a strong competitor to T1. EoC leverages the same copper telephone wiring but uses advanced equipment to achieve higher bandwidth over each copper pair. Bundling multiple pairs within a single cable can further enhance the EoC service bandwidth.

EoC bandwidth options typically range from 1 Mbps to 20 Mbps. Remarkably, some regions now offer EoC speeds reaching 90 or 100 Mbps over copper pair, rivaling speeds previously attainable only through fiber optic connections. EoC also boasts high scalability, enabling businesses to order the bandwidth capacity needed for future growth while initially subscribing to a lower speed. Upgrading the speed involves a simple call to the service provider, and the change can be implemented within a short timeframe, often within days or even hours.

A 2x2 Mbps or 3x3 Mbps Ethernet service offers a comparable service to a T1 line at a similar price point. These designations indicate that the upload and download speeds are identical, mirroring the symmetrical bandwidth of a T1 line, but at potentially double the speed.

Business-class Cable broadband presents a third option, provided by Cable TV companies such as Comcast, alongside their consumer broadband offerings. Cable TV’s coaxial cables possess vast bandwidth capacity, efficiently carrying both broadband and television signals. Users connect via a Cable modem, with the latest DOCSIS 3.0 standard capable of delivering speeds of 50 or 100 Mbps to businesses.

While it may appear astonishing that 50 or 100 Mbps can be acquired at a price comparable to a 1.5 Mbps T1 line, there are noteworthy distinctions. Cable bandwidth is shared rather than dedicated, meaning your bandwidth fluctuates throughout the day based on the collective upload and download activity of other users. Furthermore, Cable bandwidth is asymmetrical. While the download speed might reach 100 Mbps, the upload speed typically remains limited to 10 or 15 Mbps. This discrepancy might not pose an issue for primarily browsing web pages or streaming video clips. However, it can become problematic when transmitting video content or regularly uploading large files.

Cable does offer the unique advantage of a “triple play” service, combining broadband, telephone, and television services through a single cable for a bundled price. This package holds particular appeal for businesses with public waiting areas, such as doctor’s offices or auto repair shops. Special bundle rates are also available for public establishments like bars and restaurants.

To determine the optimal bandwidth solution for your business, obtain pricing and availability for Cable broadband, T1 lines, and Ethernet over Copper specific to your location. Then, select the solution that aligns best with your business requirements.