Your Internet Resource Center

Does your company still rely on a dial-up modem for Internet access? If you have more than a dozen people in your office, it is time for an upgrade. You owe it to your company and yourself to get high-speed Internet access for everyone.

The information that you can find on the Internet can be worth more than the cost of access. With the World Wide Web, salespeople can prospect more effectively, marketing employees can develop materials more easily, and office managers can shop for bargains. Providing e-mail access to all staffers also helps your company keep pace with your customers and competitors.

One of the fastest and most reliable high-speed Internet access options available is a T-1 line. A T-1 line, also known as a DS1 line, is a dedicated data line that transmits data at the speed of 1.544 Megabits per second (mbps). This translates to a speed that is 27 times faster than a 56k dial-up modem, which means that multiple people can access the Internet simultaneously. Even with multiple users, at that speed, web pages will not take painfully long to download.

Is a full T-1 too much for your office? If you do not need a full circuit, fractional T-1 lines are also available. With a fractional T-1, you just purchase the portion of the line that is needed.

When evaluating options, make sure your provider offers adequate monitoring to ensure your T-1 Internet access keeps running. A reputable service provider will provide built-in monitoring of your T-1 line and equipment. Should a problem arise, you should be able to call your T-1 service provider for immediate troubleshooting. The provider should be able to diagnose the issue from their end, and contact the phone company to resolve the issue for you.

You will need certain equipment to support a T-1 line for Internet access. This includes a CSU/DSU, or Channel Services Unit/ Data Services Unit, which prepares the data for transmission. A router is also required to handle Internet traffic. Some routers have built-in CSU/DSUs. This piece of equipment is usually used in conjunction with a firewall to protect the customer site and requires experienced administration. If you do not have the internal expertise to do so, some service providers will install and manage this equipment for you.

Costs for T-1 Internet access have dropped significantly. With the current bandwidth glut in the market, you should be able to find pricing in the range of $500 to $1100 per month. There is typically a setup fee as well to cover the cost of setting up a T-1 connection to your office. Expect to sign a one-year contract, with discounts available if you are willing to make a multi-year commitment.

With high-bandwidth Internet access, you will find that you will be able to travel much further and faster on the information superhighway. But, in all fairness, I should warn you: once you ride this Porsche, you will never want to drive a Yugo again.