T1 Vs. Comcast

Cable broadband Internet service offers fairly fast download speeds, usually in the 2 Mbps range, though the upload speeds are quite a bit lower at between 184 and 300 Kbps. This is fine for the average user who spends more time downloading data, including loading Web pages, receiving e-mails and streaming media, than they do uploading, which includes sending e-mails and uploading files. A T1 line offers download speeds of about 1.5 Mbps, which is slightly less than cable broadband. The biggest difference between the two technologies as far as speed is concerned is upload speed. A T1 line offers upload speeds of 1.5 Mbps as well, which is nearly 10 times faster than broadband. Another factor that contributes to speed on a T1 line is that uploads and downloads occur via two separate circuits, which means your uploads do not affect the speed of your downloads and vice-versa.

At the time of publication, typical cable broadband service averages $45 per month. Depending on whether your house is wired for cable, you may need some installation services, which usually run about $100. T1 service, on the other hand, requires fiber-optic cable that runs directly from your home or office to the telephone company. Installation of this fiber-optic line costs between $500 and $1,000. Monthly service for a T1 line averages $500, but can be as high as $1,200 depending on the area.

A cable broadband connection is typically fast enough to support several users in one household, though users may experience delays if everyone is using it at the same time. T1 lines, on the other hand, can support up to 20 users simultaneously without any appreciable loss in speed. This makes T1 lines ideal for small businesses. While cable broadband Internet is available to small businesses, if it is a Web-based business where employees spend most of their time on the Internet, the connection will be sluggish. With a T1 line, up to 20 employees can surf at the same time and enjoy full speed.

While cable broadband is one of the more reliable high-speed Internet services, users can still experience delays if Web traffic is heavy in their neighborhood at any given point. Any time the cable goes out, you will lose your Internet connection as well. A dedicated T1 line is more reliable because it is a direct connection between you and the telephone company. The only thing that could cause your T1 line to go down would be if the line itself was cut. T1 users also tend to get priority customer service, which means if they do experience outages, they will be attended to more quickly.