T1, T3, DSL - What is Dedicated Voice service? How does it relate to a T1?

For companies considering the many alternatives for long distance service, there are two main formats commonly used to transmit long distance voice traffic. The most ubiquitous form of long distance calling is the switched call. These calls originate from regular POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) lines and are routed through the local telephone company's central switch. Dedicated long distance is transmitted over a digital T1 line from the customer's location through the local telephone company's central office - but not through the switch - where it connects directly to the carrier's voice network. This direct connection to the carrier allows for considerably lower per minute rates but because the carrier charges a monthly fee for the T1 line, the volume of calls must be great enough to produce a savings.

What does a voice T1 line cost?

Voice T1 lines are priced by distance from the carrier's POP (Point-of-Presence) to the central office that the customer is served out of. These T1 lines range from $100 to $500 per month depending on location and proximity to the carrier's network. A full long distance T1 is not the same as an Internet T1 line and is used only for long distance voice communications. However, if you do not require a full T1 (24 voice channels) for long distance or a full Internet T1 line (1.544Mbps) it is possible to split it into two parts. This is commonly referred to as integrated service. Typical T1 configurations normally include a set number channels for Internet and a set number of channels for Internet service.

How do I connect a voice T1 to a phone system?

Voice T1s can be terminated in a number of fashions but additional equipment is almost always required. If a PBX (Private Branch Exchange) phone system is being used, a T1 line card can be purchased to integrate it into the phone system. If a system is not being used, a T1 channel bank will split out the 24 channels so that they can be used like traditional phone lines. Voice T1 lines are normally delivered via a jack provided by the local phone company; this jack is normally a RJ-45.

Who provides Dedicated T1 or T3 Long Distance service?

For the most part any long distance carrier who provides switched long distance service can provide dedicated long distance via a T1 or T3 line. Examples of these companies include AT&T, MCI WorldCom, Sprint and Qwest. Choosing a company to provide dedicated T1 or T3 long distance service normally involves a review of their prices and per minute rates, which vary greatly from provider to provider.