T Connections

Learn About T1 Connections

There are different ways that Web users can connect to the Internet. The slowest connection speeds come from dial-up connections. Faster options for Internet connections include DSL, cable Internet, and T1 connections.

What is a T1 Connection?

A T1 Internet connection is a popular method of connecting to the Web for business customers. T1 connections include several advantages over other connection types. Foremost is the fact that T1s are dedicated Internet connections which allow many people access to the provider's network any time of day without any slowdown based on the number of users.

T1 Internet Connection Speeds

T1 service providers offer minimum 1.544 Mbps download and upload speeds to their customers via a dedicated, point-to-point, or integrated connection to a digital circuit. Faster speeds are available through T3 connections which offer 44.736 Mbps speeds.

T1 Connection Features

Businesses often find T1 connections best suited to their company needs because they can run several business-based services such as local and long distance telephone, high-speed Internet, and VoIP over a single circuit at the same time.

T1 connections also allow users to have static IP addresses which are necessary to operate business websites. Static IP addresses are generally not available to standard DSL and cable Internet customers.

Because of their dedicated lines and static IP address features, T1 connections can be much more expensive than a typical DSL or cable Internet connection. Monthly fees for T1 service generally range from a minimum of around $500 and as high as $1,000 per month. This type of monthly expenditure is usually out of range for the typical high-speed Internet user, but can be a worthwhile investment for small and large-sized business.