Comparing Business Ethernet And DS3 Bandwidth

When businesses are looking for the right bandwidth solution for critical business network applications, the popular options today are DS3 bandwidth and Business Class Ethernet. Either are a good choice as long as you understand what each can do for you. Do your homework, compare pros and cons as they relate to your network requirements, and choose wisely.

Outside of the cost difference between DS3 bandwidth and Business Ethernet (Ethernet tends to be cheaper or at least very competitive) , the speed varies a wide range from 45 mbps to 100 mbps to 1000 mbps (FastE to GigE). If you shop around you’ll likely discover that DS3 line costs have dropped dramatically in today’s market. Still, Ethernet pricing is attractive where it is available. Where it is not, build out costs may be prohibitive. In terms of reliability, they're similar because they're both dedicated bandwidth circuits.

The traditional high bandwidth network connection is a DS3 line, delivering up to 45 Mbps of connectivity. Today, most DS3 services are provisioned over fiber optic cables with a copper handoff at the demarcation point. In some cases, you can get DS3 brought in over coaxial copper or even wireless transport. There’s plenty of flexibility available currently to deliver DS3 capacity with little restriction from the transport mechanism.

For application, a DS3 circuit works as a reliable backbone for large networks with substantial voice/data/video traffic needs. For example, organizations that need high bandwidth such as headquarters phone lines (PBX and/or VoIP), company Supply Chain Management (SCM) systems, high traffic websites, Hospital medical imaging and diagnostic systems, data/disaster recovery and backup networks, video conferencing facilities, multi-media or virtual design centers, high security networks, and ISP backbones. Where DS3 is not quite enough capacity, opting for the “next up” OC3 circuit (fiber optic bandwidth transmission) is an option.

An alternative to DS3 is Carrier Ethernet, especially Metro Ethernet in larger cities. Ethernet services offer standardized speeds of 10, 100 and 1000 Mbps to match the common LAN (Local Area Network) speeds. But most Ethernet providers also offer other increments in 1, 5 or 10 Mbps steps. A 50 Mbps Ethernet service provides similar bandwidth to DS3.

So how do you choose one service over another?

If you need the channelization of traditional TDM services for telephony or other applications, DS3 already meets this standard. It is easily multiplexed and de-multiplexed to interface with T1 lines on the low end to SONET fiber optic services (e.g. OCx) on the high end. On the other hand, if your network interests are extending your LAN or an already converged voice and data network, Metro or Carrier Ethernet is the logical connection. Make sure to understand your existing network configuration to enable a smart decision here. Otherwise, you risk potential frustration and an “apples and oranges” scenario.

If you have any concern for interface issues don’t worry. You can opt for a Managed Router Service which will take care of any such issues. Most networking applications are now packet based and more easily interfaced to Ethernet WAN services than legacy Telecom standards. But since the interface circuitry is generally an off the shelf router module, it may not matter all that much. If you go with a managed router, the service provider will take care of providing the proper customer premises equipment and monitoring the line and interfaces for proper operation. No matter whether you choose DS3 or Ethernet. In some cases, you may also get the vendor to provide the router at no cost … whether on site or remote (managed). Be sure to ask if this accommodation may be extended to you. It won’t in every case, but it’s worth asking.

Don’t overlook availability of Fractional DS3 and Burstable DS3 either. Fractional DS3 services are available that offer less than 45 Mbps for a lower monthly lease cost. You can get fractional DS3 bandwidth at the speeds where T1 bonding becomes impractical (around 10 or 12 Mbps bandwidth depending on your intended application usage). You can also go the other direction with Burstable DS3. Which allows you to start at usually 45 mbps and increase your bandwidth as your needs grow. A Burstable DS3 is the ideal solution for businesses who seek ultra-fast connectivity for their Internet needs.....and don't require full OC3 load capacity just yet but may in the future.

On the Ethernet side, with scalable Ethernet you can specify nearly any bandwidth from 1 Mbps up to 10 Gbps and often upgrade to higher levels with just a phone call to your service provider. The flexibility of bandwidth scaling offered with Ethernet is a major advantage to this transport option.

Be advised that an Ethernet connection is not available in every location. Normally this limitation is restricted to where the network providers have fiber already laid out in the neighborhood. You’ll most often find major cities or urban areas to be “lit” while more rural locales are not. Where Business Ethernet isn’t available, a DS3 or OC3 circuit is the best option for a company that needs more bandwidth to grow.

If you're fortunate and you're in an area where Ethernet connections are available, whether they're FastE or GigE, count your blessings and go for it. The cost can vary from depending on the bandwidth needed and local loop (distance from the tie in to the providers Point-Of-Presence or POP). The FastE cost and GigE cost are usually less than per megabit than a DS3 or OC3 … or at the minimum very competitive.

So which bandwidth option offers the best value? The fact is that DS3 and Ethernet bandwidths compare favorably. Which you choose for your particular application will most often be determined by which service offers the best pricing for your particular business location. Therein lies the foundation for your decision …. all else being equal. DS3 bandwidth is perfect for most applications. However, if a company is price sensitive and the solution is available Business Ethernet would be the recommended alternative.

For assistance finding the right dedicated bandwidth fit for your organization’s needs …. and to save you time, money, and aggravation … I strongly recommend using the free help available to you here:

DS3 Bandwidth And Business Ethernet

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Primer For Businesses Evaluating DS3 Bandwidth

Before deciding on a bandwidth solution for your business there's basic fundamental questions you must be aware of. Not just what they are but also how the answers will impact your network application(s)... and most importantly the impact on potential cost of implementing that network.

Part of any business plan for installing or upgrading a computer network infrastructure is estimating potential costs .... with bandwidth requirements an obvious big chunk of the deliberation. To do this appropriately you need to know what you're getting into first. Overlook these factors ..... or make assumptions on their affect to network installation, management, and performance costs means you may end up paying more than you expected.

Here's a scenario to illustrate the message .....

You are intending to upgrade your company's computer network in the coming months basing the infrastructure on DS3 bandwidth. You are getting several quotes for adding another upstream provider, as well as trying to price new accounts. You want to know what are average costs of a DS-3's (full 45 Mbps)to end users and 100 Mbps connections?

First, there are three components of cost for upstream bandwidth that you must be aware of...

1. access, sometimes called the local loop, is the circuit between your physical location and the carrier POP (Point Of Presence)

2. port speed, which is essentially how many megs you're buying

3. equipment to interconnect between the carrier and your network.

Access price will depend on your various locations and where you can take delivery of the service. Some carriers will have "lit" buildings that will be less costly for them to serve. Generally, the farther any location you want serviced is from a POP the more your loop cost will be. The closer it is the less your cost will be. This is the most often overlooked component of any pricing exercise .... and the one that can up your costs quickly and drastically. Here's a tip ..... if you're within a reasonable distance for their POP many providers will waive the loop cost. So make sure you ask about that.

Port speed will vary by carrier, by product type, and by any specific vendor promotions ongoing at the moment. These costs are generally on the decrease overall so you should make out here .... but still ensure you compare multiple providers and negotiate for the best cost. Also make sure that provider port speed promises include a SLA (Service Level Agreement) and QoS (Quality of Service) commitment which penalizes the provider for non-compliance and protects your financial investment. Getting less bandwidth reliability than you need will impact on the performance of your intended application(s). If you learn this too late you will end up paying more through the lost productivity to your business.

Equipment costs turns to zero if you take an Ethernet connection, but typically you have to be in a "lit" building to take advantage of that. Otherwise to hang a router on a DS-3 the carrier may charge a few extra hundred dollars per month. If Ethernet connectivity is available .... grab it. It will cut your expenses dramatically. Also ask if the provider will "give" you a free router. Many do so today as sales incentive.

There you have it. The basics of what to ensure is incorporated into any deliberations on your computer network bandwidth requirements. Gloss over any of these and you will end up paying more than necessary. There are of course some more complicated and technical considerations your IT staff will ponder. But to make business sense at least the above must be your starting point.

Should you like to save even more in the deliberation process (time, effort and money) I suggest using the services of a no cost consultant such as DS3 Bandwidth who can navigate the maze on your behalf. They'll do all the research and negotiations for you .... and simplify your involvement to a less stressful approve/disapprove. That just makes even more business sense.

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DS3 Bandwidth Circuits & Business Ethernet …. Your Best Choices For Dedicated Bandwidth

There are a variety of dedicated bandwidth solutions to choose from in a world inundated with business network systems. In fact, choosing a dedicated bandwidth solution is somewhat similar to a kid’s first visit into a candy store, making a decision could be very complicated. For example, there are bonded T1 lines, DS3 bandwidth circuits, Metro-Ethernet, MPLS, SONET and a host of systems to choose from when it comes to dedicated bandwidth solutions.

There are many reasons why making a decision with dedicated bandwidth solutions can be a bit difficult and confusing for some people.

Foremost, if you truly do not understand the language in which a dedicated bandwidth is written, it could be like searching for a needle in haystack. There are a variety of bandwidth items to select from and the range in prices and performance doesn’t make things any better. You must make a decision on the best system for your particular needs or situation; therefore, it’s important to know what interests you the most (fits your network requirements based on the applications to be employed) as well as what you are willing to pay to satisfy your taste buds.

Making dedicated bandwidth decisions can be narrowed down to answering two very important questions. One – exactly what network obligation does the dedicated bandwidth solution you have selected need to meet. And two – is the cost associated with that particular dedicated bandwidth solution financially pleasing. After all is said and done, you must have a dedicated bandwidth solution that is capable of meeting all your needs.

Here is one thing you should take into consideration when it comes to choosing a dedicated bandwidth solution that meets your specific needs. An overwhelming percentage of today’s rising businesses are narrowing down the items they are interested in to one or two of the things listed in the first paragraph – DS3 bandwidth circuits and Business Ethernet. There may be others that are capable of fitting the bill; but hands down, these are the two best fits for the majority of companies that are looking for a dedicated bandwidth solution to meet the everyday demands of their business.

The fact is that DS3 circuits and Business Ethernet bandwidths compare favorably. Which you choose for your particular application will most often be determined by which service offers the best pricing for your particular business location. How can you find that out?

For assistance finding the right dedicated bandwidth fit for your organization’s needs …. and to save you time, money, and aggravation … I strongly recommend using the free help available to you here: DS3 Bandwidth and Business Ethernet

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DS3 Bandwidth Strong Backbone For Corporate Data Networks

When looking for a dedicated bandwidth solution to power your data network... any corporation would be well served to give DS3 bandwidth strong consideration. A DS3 line is one of the fastest and most robust options available to you. Capable of transmitting and receiving up to 45 Mbps at the same time, a DS3 circuit delivers the kind of transfer rate, stability, and performance every company requires.

For illustration think of it this way. With a dedicated bandwidth line-up based on a DS3... your network has all lanes of the highway with no contenders. Therefore whatever applications are being run have the maximum achievable capacity of the link... all to themselves.

A dedicated DS3 circuit gives you more lanes on the highway (bandwidth) although it doesn't necessarily increase the speed of the individual cars traveling on the highway (throughput). For example, you have a 12 lane freeway instead of a two lane freeway. You still have the same speed limit for each car, but you can have more cars moving along the road at the same time.

Put in business terms, this allows you to execute more simultaneous downloads without compromising any one traffic flow. In other words, it takes more effort to approach the limit of network congestion because you've got more space to do more things.

Remember also that data transfer rates are constant because the speed of light is constant. But, bandwidth is variable and is a function of the link capacity. With a DS3 line your capacity is much more robust than say a simple T1 set-up... single or bonded. With DS3 you get the equivalent of 28 T1 lines, which is a LOT more capability. Now picture the increased work output your company can achieve with such a robust and stable network at your disposal.

The increase in capacity offered by a DS3 Bandwidth based solution makes perfect sense for corporations with applications requiring movement of sizeable pieces of information. For example, large remote worker population accessing files, call centers, organization wide VoIP and IP PBX systems, Internet service providers, universities, research labs, video conference centers, and software development companies would all benefit from the capacity available through DS3 level service. Probably one of the most common uses is to meet the need for high speed electronic data transfer between geographically separated industrial sites or offices. Especially multi-national corporations. Another viable use is to support heavy multi-media applications such as Medical Imagery, Broadcast Video Transmission, Surveillance Cameras, and CCTV Systems.

Since prices have been dropping drastically in recent years you should have no problem finding reasonable deals for DS3 circuits. Do be aware though that pricing is still somewhat dependent on your location. The reason for the location dependency is that pricing is basically distilled down to two simple components; local loop and port. The local loop covers the cost charged by the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) to transport the signal from the end user's central office (CO) to the point of presence(POP) of the carrier. The port covers the cost to access the telephone network or the Internet through the carrier's network (essentially connecting ISP's server and your building). Typically, the port price is based upon access speed and yearly commitment level while the loop is based on geography. The farther the CO and POP, the more the loop costs. Thus why DS3 price varies slightly by location where the circuit will be installed. However, some providers today may consider waving the loop cost just to get your business.

Should you not necessarily need a full DS3 line you can still take advantage of DS3 transport via a fractional DS3 (starting at 10Mbps), which gives you a portion of full ds3 bandwidth at a lower cost. This is a very cost effective way to get the performance of a DS3 without paying for a complete circuit. Conversely, you can also increase your capacity as DS3 lines are also available in multiples to increase bandwidth, similar to bonded T1 service.

Although a simplified non-technical explanation, you should now have a healthy basic appreciation for the possibilities a DS3 circuit affords your organization. Armed with this knowledge you're more likely to make a more informed decision about your network design requirements.

Michael is the owner of FreedomFire Communications.... and also authors Broadband Nation where you're always welcome to drop in and catch up on the latest BroadBand news, tips, insights, and ramblings for the masses.

For quality Dedicated Bandwidth service, protect yourself and your investment by comparing amongst 30 first and top tier carriers where you have a Low Price Guarantee. For more information about Dedicated Bandwidth and finding your best deals and options, please visit DS3 Bandwidth Solution.

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Fractional Or Full DS3 Bandwidth....What's Best For You?

The question is, if you're always hungry enough to eat 8 slices of pizza, do you order 8 individual slices? Or do you order a whole pie?

Consistency is key to your costs. If your bandwidth requirements will fluctuate wildly, fractional may be the way to go, so you pay for what you use. But if you're needs consistently encroach the 45Mbps available in a DS3, why slice it into 28 or 672 pieces?

With either option (fractional vs. full), you still have to pay for an full DS3 local loop. Many tier 1 carriers like MCI/Verizon Business offer burstable options, which give you the best of both worlds. You get the full DS3 if you need it, but only pay for average usage (based on 95th percentile). Also, most tier 1 carriers, where available (more common in "lit" buildings), offer ethernet-based services, where the underlying circuit may indeed be a DS3 or OC3, but the handoff connection to you is a 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port, which you plug into your router, firewall, or switch. From there, you can provision as much bandwidth as needed.

Whether your need is fractional or full DS3...or even OC3 or higher...you can get free assistance in finding the right solution from DS3-Bandwidth.com. Simply go to this website and submit your details. They'll do the research for you and give you the best answer for your application(s).

DS3 Bandwidth

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What Does DIA Over Fiber Cost?

This seems to come up more and more recently …. as more areas go through a fiber build out … and businesses look to that fiber web as a possible solution to meet their voice/data network connectivity requirements. The natural progression is that businesses are more aggressive now in looking for information regarding what carriers charge for DIA using Fiber access.

In general ….. 10 megs of DIA delivered via fiber will on run on average around $2300 (monthly). You could get an entire DS3 circuit (45 meg) for about $1000 more. Again, this would depend on your location and loop costs. If Metro Ethernet is an option, that would be about $600 for 10 megs - again depending on your location.

Now most providers will not hand you off fiber for only 10 MB commitment, most fiber drops are for GigE circuits (Gigabit Ethernet) which usually carries a 100 MB commitment from most larger providers. For 10 MB you are probably going to have a Ethernet handoff or a Coax DS3. Depending on the availability of Ethernet where you are located.

To get an accurate cost for any given location … and also verification if fiber is even available there …. I suggest you use the free “search and compare” service available at: Bandwidth Solution

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DS3 Bandwidth … What It Is And What It Does

As bandwidth increases beyond 10 mbps, the price per meg decreases. i.e. an average price for one T1 now averages about $500 per month. With full DS3, the price per T1 typically averages about $125 per month or less. The monthly savings for larger bandwidths such as fractional and full DS3 result in significant savings on a per meg basis.

A DS3 or T3 bandwidth connection will handle the most bandwidth-intensive applications. A DS3 (or T3) is a digital communications link that supports data transmission rates of about 44 Mbps. A DS3 line consists of 672 individual channels, each of which supports 64Kbps. DS3 services allow cost effective connectivity from 15Mbps to 44Mbps.

If you do need assistance finding the most cost effective DS3 Bandwidth solution solution for your business today … I recommend taking advantage of the free support provided through this online resource: DS3 Bandwidth Solution

DS3 Bandwidth Solution also includes a Low Price Guarantee .... they guarantee that the rate quotes you receive will not be beaten by any "inside salesman", websites, or agents for that service provider. If you find a better deal, theye will match that price and send you a refund check for 20% of your 1st month's bill (up to $500)!

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