To understand the T1 basics, you first need a solid knowledge base on the transfer of data both on the Internet and company intranets. Dedicated T1 line speed makes this process easier for your business. However, there are certain issues like cost and existing technology infrastructure that your company must examine. Business T1 providers offer excellent services, but if the costs aren't feasible and if you don't have the equipment to maximize the benefits of T1 data lines, it can be a mis-allocation of resources.

Prior to choosing any of the available T1 service providers, you need to establish the reasoning for using or upgrading to the T1 information technology. The basis of this reason will come directly from knowing the T1 basics, and how to implement the technology. Therefore, before your company makes any decision regarding business T1 providers, it's imperative to understand a few T1 basics:

1. Study the basic structure and workings of business T1 providers.

2. Enroll in online T1 education courses.

3. Go through the T1 ISP selection procedure.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Examine the basics of the dedicated T1 line service

To use a technology properly requires at least a rudimentary understanding of its workings. You don't need to become an expert, but having a conversational fluency will help your company select the correct T1 service provider. You'll need to decide if a full or a fractional T1 line is necessary. In addition, there's the decision of whether a voice, PRI, or integrated line is best. If your business has a large call volume, then a dedicated voice T1 may be necessary.

I recommend: Study the T1 basics tutorial at BroadBand Nation. Use the T1 learning center available at WorldNet Long Distance, to understand the technology better.

Register for tutorials and examine T1 internet access provider evaluations

When selecting a T1 pricing and T1 service rate, you'll understand why your business should opt for this technology solution. There's also the need for the further understanding of the technology. To bolster this knowledge, you can take online tutorials.

I recommend: Utilize the T1 technology tutorials at Adtran University. Evaluate the reasons for choosing dedicated T1 solutions from Web Know How.

Conduct a practice exercise in choosing a T1 internet provider

First, you'll want to review all of the available service providers in your area. Then, determine the best reviewed services, and how their pricing compares to other services available to your company. You can do this without committing to any contracts to get an idea of the providers in the market.

I recommend: Examine the T1 Line Provider Review at T1 resource blog. Fill out the T1 information request form at Broadband Locators to determine available providers. Locate the broadband service providers in your area by using the American International Telephonics website.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A dedicated T1 provider is but one of many data communication options available to your company. Therefore, be sure to evaluate all other options before choosing a particular technology.

Not too long ago, a long-predicted technology shift to T1 Internet access seriously began to happen — more people than not use the Internet every day in their work, and for some it has become indispensable to have a T1 Internet line. As software, collaboration, communication, even basic accounting and word processing, move onto the web full time, a T1 line will become a crucial part of your business productivity plans.

Most likely, your T1 Internet provider will talk to you first about buying a business T1 Internet plan. The salesperson is not trying to steer you wrong: A business T1 line is an essential for any office with more than a handful of web users.

In this guide to T1 Internet, you’ll learn how to:

1. Calculate your T1 line needs.
2. Choose from among T1 access vendors.
3. Selection from options when choosing a business T1 Internet provider.
4. Be a smarter business T1 line consumer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Figure out if T1 Internet is the best choice for your company

Trying to choose between business DSL and T1 Internet access? Business DSL is best for a small, single office connecting over a standard phone line. But if you have dozens of users, or distance between offices, T1 access or even a T3 line should come into play. Some initial key differences: A T1 line is the same speed for both upload and download, and service agreements usually provide for nearly 100 percent uptime.

I recommend: Compare and contrast business DSL with a T1 line at Speakeasy, XO Communications, and Earthlink.  Find more business DSL service providers at Business.com.

Do you need a full T1 line or just fractional T1 access?

It's really impossible to say whether a full T1 line is the best fit for your company, or if fractional T1 access is a better deal. That's because how many users you have is not the same as how much traffic those users might represent. Hundreds of users doing only casual e-mail and web surfing can easily share a T1 line. Accordingly, it's possible to buy just part of a T1 line, known as 'fractional' T1 access. But if they all start doing video training or downloading enormous files at once, that T1 line will get overrun.

I recommend: To get a sense of how fast business T1 Internet can be, run a speed test on your current connection. A speed test will show you where you stand using less than a T1 line for one computer. There's a good simple test at CNET, but by far the coolest looking test is at SpeedTest.net.

Is a T1 line enough for your business?

T1 is essentially a short way to say 'really fast,' since the next step up, a line 28 times faster and known as T3, is the literal backbone of the Internet. Without getting too technical, a business T1 line moves data at 1.544 megabits per second and is made up of 24 channels, each of which can be programmed by the Internet provider to carry voice calls or data.

I recommend: Shopping for a T1 line is pretty easy. Your local phone company almost certainly sells T1 access. But they're not the only choice. Some national T1 vendors include  Level 3, Covad, Global Crossing, Verio and Qwest.

The many flavors of T1 Internet access

It just wouldn't be technology without jargon. Your T1 line comes in a variety of types, including integrated, burstable and bonded T1 access. An integrated line combines voice and data (you decide how much of which). Burstable T1 Internet access provides extra bandwidth on demand, for which your company will pay only for the extra usage. A bonded business T1 line is a more-efficient marriage of two or more T1s hooked together.

I recommend: For a full array of voice, data and different speed packages, consider a telecom-based vendor, like AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Definitely ask carefully about pricing for a business T1 line. They have come way down in price, but so too have business DSL services.
• •  Make sure you buy enough T1 access for all your needs, including voice lines. Better to presume some growth demand than have to renegotiate a contract.
• •  To ensure that your T1 line is adequate, keep your employees off Internet radio, video and file sharing sites. They chew up bandwidth and cost you money.

Technology can change at the speed of thought, which is why it is imperative for any business thinking of using at T1 ISP to get the latest information. The information you attain from T1 news and trends offers a great opportunity to develop a information technology plan. Locating the necessary dedicated T1 provider enables your business to manage information transfer more effectively.

T1 service providers are necessary for any company that transfers large amounts of data or relies heavily on Internet communications. Not all business T1 providers are on the cutting edge of technology and if you can use the latest news and trends, your company will better for it. Therefore, it is important to consider a few items in order to stay on top of the latest T1 news and trends, such as:

1. Check the dedicated T1 line blogs for the latest news and trends.
2. Register with the T1 RSS feeds for current information.
3. Use the dedicated T1 solutions and technology news websites to remain up-to-date on industry trends.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Visit the T1 related blogs regularly

Blogs provide information on T1 pricing and T1 connection speeds, as well as news about the technology. The only problems with blogs are that they're usually written from the perspective on the blogger. Therefore, you need to use the information they provide but not necessarily the opinions expressed.

I recommend: Examine the T1 News and Information blog for the most recent happenings in the industry. Check T1 Rex's Business Telecom Explainer blog to get more information about the challenges and advantages of a dedicated T1 line speed and technology.

Subscribe to T1 RSS feeds

RSS feeds make it easier to attain current news and trends. Once you register, the RSS feed will notify your web browser when any new industry info becomes available. That way the information comes to you and you don't need to check the website on a daily basis. T1 subscriber line technology can change on a daily basis and RSS feeds makes keeping up that much easier.

I recommend: Enroll in the T1 resources RSS feed at ZDnet to learn more about T1 resources. Subscribe to the VertMarkets RSS feed for the news on retail solutions in the T1 provider industry.

Utilize the T1 industry and vendor websites to understand the way technology is trending

While blogs and RSS feeds are great, other industry resources can give you a knowledge base to understand the information. With updated knowledge about T1 connections, you can expand your business technology possibilities.

I recommend: Visit the T1Vendors and T1 Shopper websites to learn more about the latest T1 service rates and information. The vendor’s site can give your company a better idea about the services trends and the shopper website offers pricing info.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make certain that your company has the computers and other end user equipment to take advantage of T1 technology. For instance, if your business has outdated computers, they won't be able to maximize the potential of a T1 connection.

A T1 line can provide businesses with incredibly fast Internet connections, but is this something that your business has a need for? T1 lines have a higher cost than the more typical DSL, due to their higher speed. For some companies, this is necessary. In fact, they may need even more speed and consider a T3 line or a bonded T1 line. However, other companies don't need quite so much speed and can settle for a fractional T1 or even simple DSL. Whatever your needs, it's a good idea to understand the T1 key terms to help you make your decision.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

T1, T3 and DSL

DSL, T1 and T3 refer to the speed of an Internet connection. DSL is the slowest of the three, but is still a good solution for many small businesses. T1 lines are very fast and idea for businesses that rely on the Internet for their business. T3 lines are the fastest and are only necessary for companies that provide Internet services to others.

I recommend: Learn more about the different types of connections, including specific speeds from BroadbandInfo.com.

Bonded T1

A bonded T1 combines up to six T1 lines to get a faster Internet connection. This is ideal for companies that need a faster connection than a T1 line, but don't have the need for the much faster T3.

I recommend: ISWest describes their bonded T1 package.

Fractional T1

In a fractional T1, a customer shares a T1 line with another company. This is the best solution for a company that wants an Internet connection that is faster than DSL, but doesn't have the need or budget for a T1 line.

I recommend: TechFest.com describes the difference between a T1 and fractional T1 line.

Bps, kbps and Mbps

Bps, kbps and Mbps are used to measure the speed of an Internet connection. Bps stands for bits per second. Kbps is kilobits per second. Mbps is Megabit per second.

I recommend: HomeNetHelp.com explains the different types of speeds.

Integrated T1

An integrated T1 connections, sometimes referred to as a bundled T1, allows you to combine your Internet and phone service in one package. This offers a savings in cost.

I recommend: Integrated T1 Solutions explains their integrated T1 system.

Burstable T1

Companies that have only an occasional need for a fast Internet connection should consider a burstable T1. This type of Internet connection offers a type of pay-as-you-go solution, allowing you to use as much or as little speed as you need.

I recommend: Rock River Internet describes their burstable T1 service.