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T3 Questions and Answers

What is T3 / DS3 Internet Service?

Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) service consists of a high capacity channel provisioned for transmission speeds of 44.736 Megabits per second (Mbps) isochronous serial data. DS3 is offered at an electrical interface for single DS3 applications.

This service is used for customers who need to transport large amounts of information between locations and who have the flexibility to configure communications services to meet specific needs to economically optimize networks, such as aggregation of lower speed services, e.g., Digital Signal Level 1 (DS1) (1.544Mbps), onto a high speed digital backbone.

Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) facility can be channelized to provide 28 DS1 circuits with the multiplexing ability to enable a platform for voice, video, or data services. This advanced; digital communications solution is designed and deployed to support applications where high bandwidth and fiber-optic reliability are necessary. For extremely mission-critical business functions, DS3 is available with Self-Healing Alternate Route Protection (SHARP) options.

Optical and electrical interfaces for DS3 capacity services (Capacity 2 - Capacity 36) have been grand-parented in the FCC No. 1 Tariff. Capacity services have been replaced with Synchronous Service Transport (SST) which is a SONET backbone available in bandwidths of OC3, OC12, OC24, OC48 and OC192.

What is the Speed difference between Internet Connections

Why should I choose a T3 / DS3?

Companies who host high traffic web sites, support web hosting, and need high capacity bandwidth on an as-needed basis. Also universities/colleges, government offices, and high volume call centers. A full DS3 can accommodate many simultaneous users depending on the requirements of the business. Generally a DS3 line is installed as a major networking channel for large corporations or universities with high volume network traffic. This is an always-on, high-speed connection that provides a dedicated, stable and reliable link to the Internet, and can support up to 500 or more computer users.

What options are available if I do not need a full DS3 / T3?

If a full 45 Mbps DS-3 isn't quite necessary, then 'tiered' and 'burstable' speeds are also an option. Tiered is more suitable for clients who expect their bandwidth requirements to increase steadily and/or continually in the near future. Clients with other access such as T1 lines can rapidly and easily switch their bandwidth to a single Fractional-DS3. Burstable is a dedicated point-to-point circuit from a customer's premises to the telecommunication carrier's network operation center (NOC). This service is priced in billing tiers of 3mbps increments from 3mbps to 45mbps. As a burstable DS3 user, you always have the full bandwidth available over an unshared, non-fractional 45mbps digital leased line.

Can DS3 connect to other Data services?

Yes. For example, DS3s are often used as "tail circuits" to SHNS rings.

DS3 is efficient transport for aggregating DS1s. Can it transport other types of services?

Yes. Some customers want to transport a combination of DS1 private Lines, Frame Relay Services, and ISDN PRI from their location to their serving wire center. DS3 can save the customer money by efficiently transporting the traffic.

Can you place an M1/3 MUX (like an ADC EZD3s) at the premise instead of a FLMxxx?

As part of the DS3 Private Line product, M1/3 MUXs can only be at COs. Engineering can only put M1/3s at a premise as:  Infrastructure--based on a provisioning decision if the customer pays for the connected DS1s.  Purchased or leased from Qwest unregulated services (with or without purchasing the DS1s).

Can DS3s be provisioned on coax cable?

Except for very specific circumstances within a wire center, DS3s are only provisioned using fiber-optics, which provides for much greater reliability and scalability.

Can I share Bandwidth Efficiently by utilizing Co-location?

Although anyone can purchase a burstable DS-3, this type of connection can be expensive, sometimes costing as much as a full 45 Mbps connection. Burstable lines can often be found at their lowest price within a collocation facility. At a collocation facility (or simply referred to as a "colo") many users share a large OC-3 or OC-12 pipe. As a customer, you will not have to pay for the fixed cost of such a large pipe, but will have the benefit of being able to burst up to very high bandwidths if necessary. If you need the reliability of a large pipe fur bursty traffic but don't have the capital, consider a collocation service. If you have a steady volume and are consistent, you may consider keeping services in house and going with a T-3/DS-3 connection. Whether you're considering a collocation facility or a T3 to the door, make sure you use a telecommunications broker to help guide you through the many providers and plans available.  Get a co-location Quote now.

Do DS3s / T3s conform to the same standard internationally?

In North America, DS-3 translates into T-3, which is the equivalent of 28 T-1 channels, each operating at a total signaling rate of 1.544 Mbps. The 28 T-1s are multiplexed through an M13 (‘Multiplex 1-to-3’ multiplexer), and 188 additional signaling and control bits are added to each T-3 frame. As each frame is transmitted 8,000 times a second, the total T-3 signaling rate is 44.736 Mbps. In a channelized application, T-3 supports 672 channels, each of 64 Kbps. In the European hierarchy, a DS-3 is in the form of a E-3, which runs at a total signaling rate of 34.368 Mbps, supports 480 channels, and is the equivalent of 16 E-1s.

If you’re moving a DS-3 (or any other DS signal) across continents, the standards of the target country rule. Channels get muxed and demuxed, with signaling conventions translated as well. For example: On the US side T-1s are in multiples of 24 x 64 Kbps circuits (total 1.5 Mbps) and in the UK, it’s 30 x 64 Kbps (total 2 Mbps). If you were to interconnect to the US at a DS-3 level, you would not receive 28 T-1s with 6 spare channels- You would get multiples of 30 E/T-1s. As they arrived in the UK, they would be muxed and demuxed, along with translated signaling conventions.

Global Communications Group Q&A

What are your Customer Service hours?
The service providers operate 24x7, 7 days a week. If you need to reach our headquarters office, we are available between 8am to 5pm MST.

How will I be billed?
We represent multiple companies and have negotiated competitive rates with each. You will be billed for the services you use by the underlying service provider.

Why should I work with GCG instead of the Carrier directly?

1. Service. When you need help, we're only a phone call away, and you won't be sitting on hold waiting for us.
2. Rates. We have negotiated pricing for services. In most cases, our rates are lower than those offered directly through the carriers providers.
3. Choice. As a Master Agent representing different carriers, we work with you closely to choose the services that fit your requirements.
4. Additional Telecom Services. Please utilize us for your office internet, voice, and data service needs
5. Experience. Global Communications Group endeavors to be at the forefront of the technology. Our professional consultants have worked directly for major carriers over the past twenty five years implementing telecom services and supporting small, medium, and large business accounts.