T1 Phone Lines

More and more businesses are turning to T1 phone lines for office communication needs. T1 service differs from traditional analog phone service by being able to handle multiple phone lines simultaneously. This can be a big cost saving measure for a company and it is also more reliable than standard phone lines.

The difference between analog and digital lies in the signal. An analog signal is a continuous thing and even a small dip or fluctuation can make a large difference in sound quality. A digital signal is made up of small pieces of a fixed size. This makes it much easier for a computer to see if the signal is not working as it should be.

The digital signal that makes up T1 phone lines takes up far less space and the data transmits much faster than with an analog signal. It is the same technology used with cable Internet and DSL lines in residential areas.

A person's voice on a T1 is transmitted as bits of data over a fiberoptic line. Copper lines are sometimes used as well, but this is not common. One T1 line is capable of handling 24 different voice channels, so if the line is used strictly for phone service, it will take care of up to 24 office phones. This number is usually sufficient for a small business.

T1 phone lines can also be utilized for Internet service in an environment where there are less than 20 employees and low to moderate demand. A dedicated line is very reliable and more stable than a standard VoIP service. When used properly, a T1 can provide voice and Internet service to everyone in the office at the same time, with no loss in speed or quality.

Other benefits of a T1 include free local and long distance calling, with toll free service included. For a business using voice, long distance and Internet services, it is well worth looking into T1 phone lines as a cost saving measure. Using T1 service can also reduce the number of vendors involved in keeping office communications up and running.

Large business may want to consider solutions such as T3 and OC3. These are very similiar to and just as reliable as T1 except they are designed for a larger scale to handle huge amounts of data, often through a server network. Large T1 vendors often also provide T3 and OC3 services which can be useful when a company needs to expand.

Any business considering a move to a digital system such as T1 should first evaluate the equipment on hand and decide if it needs to be upgraded or replaced. One common obstacle is old copper phone lines. While T1 service will work with copper, it is faster and more efficient with fiberoptic. It should be noted that a fiberoptic upgrade can carry considerable cost.

The next step is to thoroughly research and get price quotes from several different vendors. A business should ask about equipment, support, billing and reliability, and also request references from current clients. The local Better Business Bureau can be of assistance by providing any positive or negative information about a vendor. While the object of upgrading is to save money as much as possible, the lowest cost vendor may not necessarily provide the best service. A business should always consider the ratio of cost to value.

Going from traditional analog phone service to T1 phone lines can seem daunting and it may require a lot of equipment upgrading, but the time and money saved in the long term make it a worthy endeavor. By carefully evaluating the current and future needs of the business, along with the possibility of reducing downtime and the need for multiple vendors, the company can get a clear idea of its communication goals. Shopping around with different vendors, getting quotes and asking a lot of questions will match the business with the right T1 service.

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