Improved Internet Access For Rural Areas
Internet access is no longer just for wealthy urban inhabitants. Although wireless internet may or may not be available in your barn, access to the World Wide Web is certainly an option to most anyone in rural America. There are several modes of internet connection and a popular choice for rural inhabitants has been and still is the T1 connection. T1 Internet also allows access at speeds much faster than standard dial-up.
The magic of T1 Internet service is that it is available just about everywhere in the United States. That may come as a surprise if you run a ranch or farm, or are just located in a more rural area and have tried to get DSL, cable or wireless Internet service. The oldest digital technology is also the most common.
T1 integrated services can provide both telephone and internet service. T1 actually provides voice and data on the same digital circuit. You can decide how many of the T1 connections 24 channels will be reserved for voice calls, and whats left is used for data. There are several versions of T1 internet and your service provider can help you select the right one for your specific needs.
There is one downside to T1 internet service. The most obvious drawback of a T1 connection is the cost. T1 provides a very reliable connection, but youll pay for that guaranteed uptime. For businesses that rely heavily on employee and customer access to data and applications, T1 is worth the investment.
The contract you sign for T1 access should be comprehensive, with no unwanted surprises or hidden fees detailing all costs, length of service, and the SLA. The standard contract length for T1 Internet access is three years and may include all setup fees, installation costs, and equipment rental. If you break a contract early, expect to fork up several hundred dollars up to the balance left on the contract.
After you sign a contract, a telecommunications contractor will come to your office to set up and test the necessary circuits. Then the T1 provider or Internet access broker installs routers, connects your LAN, configures IP addresses and firewall security, and sets up any other equipment noted on the contract. It usually takes 30 to 45 days from the contract signing to set up your office for access. Plan accordingly.
Monthly T1 prices range from $250 to $1,000 with a similar cost for the initial setup. Fractional T1s run about $100-$200 per month. Bonded T1s are typically priced at a multiple of a regular T1 line, so three bonded T1 lines equal around $750 to $3,000 per month. Standard T1 Internet prices include the phone companys local loop charge typically $150 and up.
Conveniently, most vendors will either provide the equipment routers, T1 pipes, Ethernet cables for free, or tie them into the monthly pricing. Certain setup fees may also be waived based on the length of a contract.
