By: John Shepler
T3 lines and DS3 bandwidth, once a cornerstone of telecom services, are becoming outdated with the emergence of newer technologies like Carrier Ethernet WAN, point-to-point microwave for business, and DOCSIS 3 cable broadband. Let’s explore the options available for your business in the 50 to 1000 Mbps speed range.
Transitioning from Traditional Telco T1 Lines
Bell Labs revolutionized long-distance digital transmission after World War II with their T-Carrier system, introducing T1 and T3 services. T1 lines could consolidate 24 analog phone lines into a single multiplexed line using existing twisted pair copper wires.
T3, an upgrade using coaxial copper lines and microwave towers, offered a 45 Mbps speed capable of handling 672 voice lines. Its protocol, DS3, could also be carried on SONET fiber optic circuits. With the rise of the internet, both T1 and DS3 were adapted for data transmission, offering speeds of 1.5 Mbps and 45 Mbps respectively.
The Rise of Carrier Ethernet over Fiber
Data traffic now significantly outweighs voice traffic, with Ethernet and IP dominating local networks. T1 and DS3 require protocol conversion, adding complexity. Carrier Ethernet streamlines this by maintaining the Ethernet standard throughout.
There are two main versions of Carrier Ethernet. Ethernet over Copper (EoC), utilizing existing twisted pair wiring, replaces T1 and fractional DS3 services, offering speeds from 1 Mbps to 20 Mbps. Ethernet over Fiber (EoF), the dominant technology, provides significantly higher speeds, ranging from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps and even 100 Gbps in some regions.
EoF surpasses T3 lines, offering seamless upgrades and cost savings. Achieving DS3-equivalent speeds with EoF is significantly more affordable, and higher bandwidth options like 100 Mbps, 1000 Mbps, and 10,000 Mbps become readily accessible.
Wireless: Bridging the Gap Where Fiber Falls Short
While fiber offers advantages, its reach can be limited. Wireless solutions shine in areas where fiber deployment is challenging, such as remote locations or densely populated urban centers.
Point-to-point microwave, once a long-haul solution, now provides high-speed connectivity over shorter distances. Businesses can achieve gigabit-level bandwidth with rooftop antennas communicating with nearby providers, offering a cost-effective and quick-to-deploy alternative.
Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) cater to rural areas, offering DS3-comparable speeds or better through long-range antennas.
Cellular technology, leveraging existing cell tower infrastructure, presents another viable option. 4G LTE offers fractional DS3 performance, particularly for downloads, and is readily available. 5G deployment further enhances these capabilities, potentially replacing DS3 and exceeding its limitations.
It’s worth noting that wireless plans, especially cellular, often come with usage caps due to bandwidth sharing. However, with plans offering substantial data allowances at competitive prices compared to DS3 or T1 lines, wireless remains a compelling choice.
Cable Broadband: Mimicking Fiber Performance
Modernized cable TV networks, predominantly fiber-based, deliver high-speed internet access through upgraded coaxial cable connections to buildings. DOCSIS 3.0 and 3.1 protocols offer remarkable speeds, with download speeds reaching 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps respectively.
Cable broadband’s affordability makes it popular among residential and business users. However, its availability in rural areas can be limited. Additionally, bandwidth sharing among users can lead to speed variations, and upload speeds are significantly lower than download speeds. While suitable for many, businesses requiring symmetrical, dedicated bandwidth might need to explore fiber optic services from cable companies or other providers.
If you’re bound by an old DS3 or T3 contract or need high-speed, cost-effective bandwidth exceeding 50 Mbps, explore the Gigabit Ethernet services available for your business.
