By John Shepler

For a while now, experts have predicted a future where all networking standards converge into one: Ethernet. We are nearing a reality where T1, DS3, OCx, and others will be obsolete. How close are we? Very close!

Network Standards Already Favor Ethernet

Telecommunications companies are embracing a once-unthinkable idea: they are replacing their proprietary standards with Ethernet services.

The reason is simple: market demand. The past saw many Local Area Network standards. Token Ring and AppleTalk were prominent examples.

Today, nearly all network devices have a dedicated Ethernet connector. The two main types are copper and fiber. Office devices typically use 10/100 or Gigabit Ethernet over copper cables, while networking hardware might have fiber connections for GigE, 10 GigE, or even 100 GigE.

This standardization has made network connectivity remarkably simple. Using switched Ethernet instead of earlier collision domains makes networking almost as easy as plug-and-play.

Networking software has followed suit. TCP/IP, the Internet standard, reigns supreme, making networks even easier to set up and operate.

Bridging LANs and Telco Networks

Controlling the network gives you the freedom to dictate its functionality. Internal networks built with mass-produced switches, routers, and cables offer this autonomy. However, connecting to the outside world presents a significant challenge.

While the Internet relies on TCP/IP, wide area networks historically haven’t. Telephone company standards originated from voice-only channels for phone calls. T1, T3 (DS3), and OCx essentially bundled these basic 64 Kbps PCM-coded telephone channels.

The digital solution involved protocol conversion at each endpoint. An Ethernet LAN would be converted to, for example, T1 for long-distance transmission and then back to Ethernet. While this method is effective and many T1 lines persist, particularly in rural areas, a new era is dawning.

Out With the Old

Major telecommunications providers have been steadily transitioning their networks to Ethernet for years. Often, this involves running Ethernet over existing fiber protocols like SONET. Meanwhile, competitive carriers built their infrastructure directly on Ethernet, bypassing the TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) phase altogether.

Currently, telcos are seeking FCC approval to phase out outdated services, particularly those relying on copper with dwindling customer bases. The traditional POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) is nearing extinction. Home phone use is diminishing as users opt for bundled TV, internet, and phone services or rely solely on cell phones.

Businesses are following a similar pattern. Smaller businesses often choose bundled voice and data packages from cable providers or traditional telcos emulating cable services. Larger enterprises are rapidly adopting enterprise VoIP and Unified Communications, eliminating the need for conventional phone lines. Everything operates on the network, with external connectivity established through SIP trunking, dedicated private lines, MPLS networks, or Dedicated Internet Access.

The Uncertain Future of Copper

While copper remains in use, its lifespan is uncertain. Telcos are eager to shed bulky copper cables, particularly individual POTS lines.

Although T1 lines remain common, their 1.5 Mbps bandwidth is becoming a significant bottleneck. Ethernet over Copper, a newer standard, provides significantly higher bandwidth at a lower cost per Mbps, making it a strong contender.

However, fiber optic connections are becoming increasingly prevalent, reaching more businesses and cellular towers. 4G and 5G wireless demand bandwidth that copper struggles to handle. It’s plausible that twisted-pair copper will be abandoned, left to deteriorate or salvaged for scrap. While this isn’t a widespread reality yet, it’s on the horizon.

Locating Ethernet Services

Ethernet over Copper and Ethernet over Fiber are currently available in most densely populated regions. In rural areas, Ethernet over DS1 leverages existing T1 lines to deliver Ethernet connectivity.

Cable broadband already provides an Ethernet connection, and FTTP (Fiber to the Premises) typically offers 1 Gbps Ethernet speeds.

Satellite and wireless internet services, including business-oriented 3G and 4G cellular, are delivered as Ethernet.

If you’re relying on an outdated internet or telecom connection, there’s a good chance a superior alternative exists. A quick check of Ethernet services in your area, along with a complimentary consultation, can help you determine the ideal solution for your business.