When your business outgrows its T1 bandwidth, the next step is often upgrading to T3. But what exactly is T3 bandwidth, and is it always the right choice for businesses seeking more bandwidth?

Both T1 and T3 belong to a group of telecommunications standards known as T-Carrier, a technology developed after World War II to replace analog carrier telephony with digital carriers. Carrier telephony allows multiple conversations to travel over a single pair of telephone wires. Analog systems achieved this through multiplexing, similar to how radio stations share the AM/FM spectrum. Each phone call occupied its own channel and was separated at the receiving end.

Analog carrier telephony had drawbacks, particularly noise and crosstalk over long distances. Those old enough to remember long distance calls in the 1960s might recall hissing and garbled background conversations. These issues vanished with the arrival of digital carriers, making long-distance calls as clear as local ones.

As technology advanced, using digital lines to transmit computer data became crucial. T-Carrier technology, already used for digitizing voice calls, was a natural fit for carrying computer data. Demand surged with the commercialization of the Internet in the 1990s, and the lowest-speed T-Carrier standard, T1 at 1.5 Mbps, became the go-to for business connectivity.

Many businesses started with T1 private lines and dedicated Internet access, but some needed more bandwidth from the outset, while others outgrew their T1 connections. The next step up is T3, offering not three times the bandwidth, as one might assume, but roughly 28 times the bandwidth of a T1 line, clocking in at 45 Mbps.

T1 and T3 differ in more than just speed. T1 runs over standard twisted-pair telephone wiring. Contrary to common perception, there’s no continuous T3 “line” from a business to the telco central office. T3 utilizes two small coaxial cables with BNC connectors, which have a limited range. This setup is typically used within a building or for short distances. The actual connection to the service provider is usually fiber optic.

While often used interchangeably, there’s a subtle difference between T3 and DS3. T3 refers to the physical line, while DS3 is a data service that runs over it. DS3 can also be transmitted over fiber optic services like OC-3. While a technical distinction, this can be important when ordering services. Requesting a T3 line will get you DS3 if available, which depends on the availability of fiber optic service. Without it, obtaining T3 or DS3 might be impossible.

Does this mean businesses are stuck with T1 bandwidth? Not necessarily. Advances since T-Carrier’s invention have introduced new options. One such option is bonding, combining the bandwidth of multiple T1 lines. Two bonded T1 lines provide 3 Mbps, while three offer 4.5 Mbps, and so on, up to 10 or 12 Mbps. While not matching T3 capacity, this suffices for many companies that don’t require a full 45 Mbps.

Another development is Ethernet over Copper (EoC), extending the familiar LAN protocol over telephone lines. EoC also uses twisted-pair copper wiring, simplifying connection. Though distance-sensitive, EoC can deliver speeds of 2 to 45 Mbps over copper within a few miles of the central office. Furthermore, EoC bandwidth is more cost-effective per Mbps than T-Carrier, potentially offering T3-level bandwidth at half the price, depending on location.

If your company is grappling with bandwidth constraints and considering upgrading from T1, it’s worth exploring all available options. Obtain competitive quotes for bonded T1, Ethernet over Copper, and T3 services tailored to your business location.