T3 (also known as DS3) is the equivalent of 28 T1s (DS1), multiplexed together. The total T3 signaling rate is 44.736 Mbps. In a channelized application, T3 supports 672 channels, each at 64 Kbps (DS0). T3s are often used by clients that require the ability to symmetrically transfer extremely large amounts of voice and/or data on a regular basis, without signal degradation, even over vast distances. Some examples of this type of client might be: call centers, universities/colleges, governmental institutions, large corporations, and internet service providers (ISP). Small businesses might even use a T3, or fractional T3, for connecting multiple locations across the country. The transmission medium for T3/DS3 is usually coax cable or fiber, so proper wiring is necessary to setup T3 access. However recent new developments have concluded that T3 can now be delivered over copper.. [detailed definition]                          SAMPLE RATE $2,250 (+LOOP) Ave. $5.5k/mth

Ethernet is a fairly new type of broadband usually confined to a particular building or dense metro area. Although ethernet technology has been in use since the 1970s within local area networks, it only recently has been in use as a wide area network transmission medium as well. Ethernet for broadband can be delivered over fiber optic cables installed throughout an entire building (also known as “lit” or “on-net”) which can substantially reduce normal provisioning time for clients residing in that building. But the main advantage is that ethernet over fiber can be run at native speeds of 10, 100, or 1000 Mbps (also known as Gig E), which is a major leap forward compared to traditional forms of accessing bandwidth. In the past, ethernet was just a protocol used to transport the “data”, so limitations of the underlying transport mechanism applied. For example Ethernet-over-T1 (via copper) operated at a maximum data rate of 1.544 Mbps, and Ethernet-over-DS3 operated at a max of 45 Mbps. Now because of the fact that new equipment specially made for extending ethernet’s range have entered the market, limitations have been significantly reduced or eliminated altogether. It’s now possible to augment and lengthen the bandwidth of a fiber lit building by using ordinary copper wires, via a new concept termed as Ethernet-over-Copper (EoC) or Ethernet-over-Serial/DS1 (EoS). This is speculated to revolutionize the industry if/when it becomes widely supported by the fiber carrying telcos. Ethernet provides significant cost savings over SONET, ATM, or Frame Relay circuits, and is the best technology for support of IP applications. Metro Ethernet Quote Tool

Private Line / Point-To-Point are two terms used interchangeably, both meaning a direct circuit or channel specifically dedicated to the use of an end user organization for the purpose of directly connecting two or more sites in a multisite enterprise. A private line that connects two points together is known as point-to-point; a private line that connects one point to multiple points is known as point-to-multipoint. Private lines offer highly available connectivity, as they are dedicated to the use of a single organization, which may run any combination of voice/video and data traffic types over them. As private lines are priced based on distance and bandwidth, with no usage-sensitive cost element, they can be used constantly and at maximum capacity at the same cost as if they were never used at all. Therefore, they offer a highly cost-effective to usage-sensitive, switched services in environments where communications between sites are frequent and intense (ex. bank transactions / ATM machines). Private lines are among the most secure forms of data transfer as they do not ride over the “public” internet  when connecting sites.

OC-3 (or Optical Carrier-level 3) is a signal comprising three OC-1s which are linked together to form a contiguous chunk of bandwidth equaling 155.52 Mbps in a SONET/SDH network. The number in the Optical Carrier level is directly proportional to the data rate of the bitstream carried by the digital signal. This type of connection is utilized by some of the largest sized networks of Internet backbone providers.

More optical carrier-level bandwidths:

OC-12 = 622.08 Mbps
OC-24 = 1.244 Gbps
OC-48 = 2.488 Gbps
OC-192 = 10 Gbps
OC-256 = 13.271 Gbps
OC-768 = 40 Gbps

MPLS is an acronym for Multi-Protocol Label Switching, which is an emerging technology that’s speculated to replace legacy (and more expensive) Frame Relay / ATM / Private Line options for businesses that need to connect 2 or more locations. MPLS can reduce total telecom costs by as much as 70% by combining voice, data, and video on one network. It eliminates ALL intra-office long distance costs. It secures your data using private IP networking rather than the open “public” network of the Internet. Uses class of service (CoS/QoS) and priority queuing so your network knows which traffic is most important and ensures that it takes priority over other traffic (essential for VoIP, video, and VPN applications). Has built-in disaster recovery and network survivability with it’s “true” meshed topology. Simplifies network management by supporting just one network and one protocol. And best of all, increases bandwidth while lowering overall costs. Banks, retail, and restaurant chains will especially benefit from MPLS’ reduced overhead costs when connecting multiple locations all across the U.S. MPLS is widely projected to be the future of WAN technology because it’s scalable, interoperable, secure, and costs less than traditional WAN systems..  [detailed definition]