DS3 Providers, Prices Compared in Real-Time!

DS3 Providers

“When the top DS3 providers must compete for your business, you win!”

DS3 providers are the telecom companies which provide DS3 circuits to end users. DS3 is a 45 mbps (megabits per second) circuit. A DS3, commonly referred to as T3, is the equivalent of 28 DS1s (commonly known as T1s). (For more about DS3 providers, please click here)

Real-Time VAR Search Engine

If you need WAN (wide are network) and/or LAN (local area network) equipment providers, or consultation, or, if you need virtually any type of computer or phone equipment including PBXs, or service for existing equipment, please use our VAR search engine below. This tool, in real-time, will locate the dealers which are nearest to your location. This tool is easy to use, and there is no obligation.

If you are a networking consultant or authorized equipment dealer, and would like to become one of our authorized VAR (value added reseller) partners, please go to our VAR partners sign up page.

Enter your ZIP Code:

How it works:

Enter your zip code in the form above
Select the General Services you are looking for
Select the Specific Services you are looking for
Enter in your contact information and preferred contact method
The most qualified VARs will be sent your information so that they can contact you, assess your situation, and compete for your business

Our VARs Service the Following Manufacturers:

Home VAR Search Contact Us Customer Login Affiliates News Testimonials About Us Links Coverage Privacy

DS3 Providers Continued.

DS3 is commonly used by large companies which need: point-to-point (private line) circuits, MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), voice (telephone), internet traffic, VoIP call centers, video conferencing and broadcast quality video transmission. Alternatives to, or variations of DS3 include: DS1, bonded DS1, fractional DS3, burstable DS3, voice DS3, data internet DS3, integrated DS3 and OC3. Each of these variations has advantages over the others, depending on the specific needs of your company. Also, the availability of each is based on the offerings and geographic proximity of each DS3 provider. Every DS3 provider has different specialties related to geographic specialization and the services they offer. A provider is considered tier 1 if they are also the carrier, the owner of the facilities they offer. DS3 providers are considered tier 2 if they are the direct reseller of the services of one or more carriers. A provider who resells the services offered by tier 2 DS3 providers is considered tier 3. Often, the services of tier 2 providers are less expensive than those offered by a tier 1 provider. However, whenever a customer can purchase directly from the tier 1 provider for a price that is similar or better than offered by a tier 2, it’s generally better to go with the tier one. This is because as the carrier (owner of the facilities), the tier 1 provider has direct access to all of their facilities. Although, almost all tier two providers offer service level agreements (SLAs) to guarantee service levels, there is only so much they can do, if they do not have direct access to the facilities they are reselling. This becomes especially important during installation, maintenance, and emergency outage situations. In these situations the tier two must coordinate with the tier one to resolve issues. As a general rule, the more entities that are involved, the greater are the coordination issues which can arise. Excessive coordination issues can result in down time for the end user. In many cases, down time equates to lost services and/or lost revenues. Tier 1 providers can commonly provide most forms of bandwidth, including most of the DS3 related services listed above. Usually, tier 2 providers are more specialized in their offerings (less variety), depending on their underlying contracts with the tier one providers. As the authorized sales agents for the top 20 tier 1 and tier 2 providers in the country, we can provide real-time comparative availability and price quotes for your business. For pricing, use the quoting tool at the top of this page. It is simple to use, free, unbiased and there is no obligation. (Click here to return to top of page)

For details on any T1 related service, click on the service listed below.

What are T1 MPLS VPNs, and How Might a MPLS VPN Benefit Your Business?

Written by: Dennis Green - Aug 20, 2008

A T1 line is a high speed 1.54 megabit per second (Mbps) circuit which is comprised of 24 individual DS-O circuits. Each DS-O circuit has a speed of 64 kilobits per second (Kbps). For perspective, your home telephone line is likely a DS-O line. T1 dedicated lines are commonly interchangeably referred to as T1 or DS1. A T1 dedicated circuit is carried through two twisted pairs of copper wires. Virtually, all residences and businesses currently have two pairs of copper wires running to them. T1 lines are capable of delivering 1.54 Mbps simultaneously in both directions, one direction for each pair of copper lines. Because T1 dedicated service is repeater driven (signal is digitally reestablished about every 6000 feet), it is available to virtually every business in the United States. T1 lines are dedicated, in that they are always connected. They are also extremely stable. Most reputable providers include service level agreements which guarantee the reliability of the T1 circuits they offer. There are several types of T1 line. These include: full (1.54 Mbps), fractional (commonly 128 Kbps to 756 Kbps), burstable, integrated (one T1 line comprised of any combination the types of T1 listed here), channelized DS1 (a specific type of integrated T1), point-to-point (direct private T1 connection between to locations), data (internet), local (local phone service), PRI (voice service which includes many added features and direct inward dial (DID) numbers), and frame relay. Each of these types of T1 has advantages over the others, depending on the specific needs of your company. Also, the availability of each is based on the offerings of each T1 provider and the geographic location of your business. VPN service utilizes major advancements in technology to establish secure private communication channels, for the transfer of data, over shared networks such as private intranets or the public internet. VPN is an acronym for virtual private network. Currently, the most popular and state-of–the-art VPNs are based on MPLS (multiprotocol label switching) technology. MPLS provides any-to-any connectivity over T1 or higher bandwidth. Some providers can provide MPLS over SDSL as well. The best MPLS networks are facilitated within the closed systems of specific tier 1 providers. With this scenario, MPLS networks are as secure as point-to-point private lines. With quality of service (QoS), MPLS networks are extremely well suited for simultaneously facilitating VOIP, priority files, multiple location audio or video conferencing, and/or high quality video transmission. For two location networks, a point-to-point private line continues a bit less expensive than a MPLS VPN. However, point-to-point circuits are not normally managed by providers, so with point-to-point lines, obtaining customer premise equipment, and configuring and maintaining the equipment is commonly the responsibility of the customer. For multiple location networks, two location networks which are more than 1000 miles apart or two location networks which you know will increase in number of locations, an MPLS network can be far more functional, and far less expensive than a network comprised of point-to-point lines. In most cases, full T1 or DS3 MPLS VPNs are provided with all needed hardware and installation, configuration and management of the network by the provider for about the same cost, or just slightly more, per location, than managed internet service. Managed MPLS networks are pretty much turn key for the end user. There are also a variety of options for networking DSL or Cable service as well. As the authorized sales agents for the top 20 telecom providers in the country, we can provide free comparative quotes for completely managed VPNs for any locations in the US, regardless of the bandwidth needed at each location. We can also provide quotes for international VPNs (including MPLS options as well). (Click here to return to top of page)