Are T1 Lines Still Used?

Author: John Sheppler

In this age of gigabit fiber and cable broadband access, it may seem odd to talk about twisted-pair copper lines for WAN networking services or Internet access. However, the venerable T1 line is still in use today. Okay, but why would anyone choose this outdated technology?

Who needs a T1 line?
In an ideal world, we would be spoiled for choice when it comes to networking offers. Some people really are, but you will find them in the business districts of large American cities. Every network provider wants to serve New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. How about that place where the cows cry, far beyond the incorporated city of Podunks that dot the landscape? Are there buyers?

No, not that much. The problem is that we as a country have not yet adopted Internet access as a main tool. There was a time when electricity was in the same category. It was considered a luxury item. By 1936, it was clear that standard AC power was of strategic importance to the country and should be widely adopted. Thus, the Rural Electrification Act brought power lines to every farm, ranch, and vacation home. Everyone received the same quality of electricity, no matter where they were.

Fast forward to today. Broadband Internet access is still considered a value-added service for businesses and households, although it is difficult to access government services, complete a school course, or run any business without an Internet connection. So you can search for services available in your area, do it all on your phone, or use common features like the public library or free Wi-Fi hotspots.

How does T1 fit in?
T1 lines by no means scream broadband service. But they work, and they work very well, often in places where wireless isn't even available.

How is this possible? designed The original purpose of the T1 transport system was to carry multiple telephone calls over a single digital line. It's honest. This is a telephone company invention intended for use in a telephone company office. What T1 did was to replace up to 24 telephone cables strung on poles between offices with a single pair of cables carrying all 24 calls simultaneously without interfering with each other.

As a telephone company standard, T1 is designed to use plain twisted pair, just like old-fashioned telephone service. It's also designed with repeaters spaced a mile apart to boost the signal so you can go as far as you need to.

When the Internet arrived a few decades later, the T1 was already widely used for telephony. At this time, local telephone companies began offering it to businesses as an upgrade to dial-up Internet access. T1 was considered broadband in the 1990s. Instead of making multiple phone calls, a T1 line offers 1.5 Mbps dedicated continuous bandwidth. No competition with other users and no busy signals.

T1 lines today
Just like you can still get a landline, many places can have a T1 line installed for your business. Some companies have multiple phone lines that connect to the local PBX telephone system through a T1 line configured as ISDN PRI. At the same time, they may have another T1 line to access the Internet, or a private point-to-point T1 connection between two sites.

Some things have changed over the years. T1 is no longer the broadband of choice for most business users with other options, simply because bandwidth is so limited. Prices have plummeted from unbelievable levels to much more reasonable levels, although things are starting to change in areas where T1 is being phased out. In fact, this legacy service still works very well, but it is gradually being replaced by wireless microwave and fiber optic lines.

For a monthly T1 rental, you get a reliable 1.5Mbps up and down line. These lines are very reliable and are quickly repaired if something goes wrong. It might not sound like much bandwidth, but it can easily work for small retail operations or offices that need credit card verification, email, simple website updates, inventory updates, orders, and occasional web browsing.

Note that point-to-point T1 lines provide a connection that bypasses the public Internet and the congestion and security issues associated with this large network. You get a private, dedicated, symmetrical connection between your sites, which is like extending your network over long distances.

Where can the T1 line be installed? Do you have a landline phone? You can get one There is a possibility that another T1 line service will be installed at the same location.

Alternatives to T1 lines
Today, cable broadband is leaving cities and serving industrial parks and residential areas. Fiber optic network providers are also expanding coverage by stretching their cables to more distant cell towers. Fiber prices have plummeted as coverage areas have grown.

Speaking of cell towers, most areas have at least 4G LTE cellular coverage and broadband, if not 5G. You can buy a specialized cellular modem designed to connect to your computers or wireless routers for a reasonable price. Companies offering this service have plans with higher usage limits.

In some rural areas, there are so-called WISPs, or wireless Internet service providers, that serve underserved areas that are too few and far apart to attract wired connections. A WISP is like a very large Wi-Fi hotspot and some of them use the same frequencies. In most cases, you will need to install an external antenna and point it at the WISP tower in order to establish a connection. If you do that, you will get pretty fast broadband.

In commercial circles, Fixed Microwave Wireless offers the same bandwidth and latency as fiber, but without fiber. Instead, a small dish on its roof powers the carrier's tower, providing a high-speed, reliable connection. They are similar to WISPs but may offer dedicated rather than shared bandwidth.

Satellite broadband is also available almost anywhere with a clear view of the southern sky and some power. This is a true broadband service with plans suitable for most business users. Since this is a shared service, your throughput depends on how many others have access to the same bird. There is also the problem of half a second delay or latency as the satellite is in geostationary orbit high above the earth. Many business users find that satellite broadband is well suited to their needs, especially with the recent introduction of newer, more powerful satellites with higher bandwidth.

So is a T1 line the right solution for accessing your network? Or is one of the fiber or wireless solutions better? Before making a decision, find out what pricing and bandwidth options are available for your specific location.