There is often a trade-off between cost and speed when it comes to an internet connection. In order to maximize their productivity, most companies invest in overly expensive and costly internet connectivity.However, with the right network set-up, you can easily maximize your productivity and minimize costs.
When it comes to the fiber-optic cable connection, there are multiple options for businesses. To minimize expenses, you need to know all options available for your business. To help you make a choice, we have distinguished two main types of fiber-optic internet connections – T1 and T3.
Let’s get started.
What is T1 Fiber-Optic Line?
A T1 fiber-optic internet line can carry data at the rate of 1.5 Mbps, which is moderately fast. If you compare it with a typical home modem, a T1 line carries data almost at a 60% faster speed. T1 is a good choice for a small scale business because it can be split into 24 data channels and can be used at home or in offices. However, multiple channels can significantly reduce your data speed.
Important:Don’t confuse fiber-optic internet with T1/ T3 because these use different transmission mechanisms as compared to fiber, but you can use the T1/T3 signaling scheme with fiber-optic cables.
Let us compare T1 fiber-optic internet line with other connections, and you will know the difference.
| Connection Type | Speed (Download) | Cost/ month |
| T1 | 1.44 Mbps | $250-$1,000 |
| DSL | 20-300 Mbps | $20-$300 |
| Cable | 1-500 Mbps | $50-$150 |
| Fiber-Optic | 25 Mbps-1Gbs | $50-$600 |
Is T1 a good option for Businesses?
As you can tell from the above table, that T1 may not be the fastest internet connection in the market, but it is an excellent option for small businesses as compared to DSL and Cable. It can easily be installed in offices with multiple workstations. T1 may not be the fastest internet option, but it is optimal for small businesses, private companies, and for personal use in homes.
If you look at the cost, however, it is very expensive as compared to cable and fiber-optics that provide good speed. So, do consider consulting fiber-optic cable Dubai based experts to make the best choice for your business and install the internet connection that meets all your business demands.
What is T3 Fiber-Optic Line?
T3 internet line, on the other hand, can support hundreds and thousands of workstations and computers at a single time. Thus it makes the ideal choice for large organizations or IT-intensive companies that cannot afford a second of lag. By using the T3 line, you can support all computers through a single line.
A T3 connection can provide speeds upto 44.7 Mbps, which is equal to 28 T1 connections. One major benefit of the T3 connection is that it provides symmetrical speed (i.e., same upload and download speed), which is amazing for data-intensive companies. Let’s make a quick comparison of T3 with other connections:
| Connection Type | Speed | Cost | Reliability |
| T3 | High | Very high | Moderate |
| DSL | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate |
| Cable | Very High | Moderate | High |
| Fiber-Optic | High | Moderate to low | High |
T3 is significantly faster than T1, but there are still other connections available in the market that offer more speed at a lower cost. But, before making a choice, do consider administrative costs related to cable or DSL internet connection, because then T3 is ideal for businesses.
Is T3 theright choice for Businesses?
So, considering the high speed and symmetrical capabilities of the T3 line, it is a bit costly at around $3,000 per month. But this cost is nothing for a bug company of approximately 1,500 – 2,000 computers ($2 per workstation per month). So, the choice of T3 really depends upon your business.
Small companies can also use the T3 internet by dividing it into fractions. This way, you will be leasing out one portion of T3 and will not have to bear the full cost. If you have 200-700 computers, you can use a fractional T3 connection for your business to minimize the cost and enjoy a fast speed internet. T3 is ideal for medium-sized corporations, schools, universities, and libraries.
Whatever choice you make be-it T1 or T3, make sure to consult a fiber optic cable Dubai based company to make sure you invest in a high-quality cable that is not susceptible to external damage and heat.
Ready to Upgrade Your Internet!
Now you know the difference between T1 and T3 connections. There are many options when it comes to internet connections, and T1 and T3 are just two examples. Even though companies have a lot of choices available when it comes to internet connectivity, as you can tell from the above data that fiber-optic internet is a solid choice for businesses of all sizes. Therefore, make a choice based on your needs and do consider your budget and reliability of the connection before investing your money in an internet connection.