[c-nsp] OT: Differences among T1 Internet access carriers

[John Neiberger]

We have diverse paths into our building from two COs but that's only
for the fiber local loop stuff. We don't have diverse connections to
multiple carriers but we can terminate a new T1 onto one of our
existing DS3s for diversity.

We also tend to like geographic diversity when ordering multiple
circuits from a single provider. For example, we have two Sprint
circuits that terminate (logically) in two different cities. There
have been times where Sprint had problems in one location that had no
effect on the other.

I think I'll just pick the provider who has the services I require at
the lowest price. I see no reason to spend any time on this since
we're just talking about a T1. I'd spend more time on it if we were
talking about a DS3 or OC3.

Thanks,
John

On 7/25/05, Bill Wichers <billw at waveform.net> wrote:
> > But here's where I need some advice. At the T-1 level, is there really
> > much difference between these vendors from a technical perspective?
> > Would I be less happy with an MCI circuit, for example, versus one
> > from Sprint or AT&T? I'm beginning to think that at this level there
> > really isn't a significant difference except for perhaps in price.
> 
> IMHO, there is little difference between the major carriers in performance
> and basic functionality. They're all selling themselves based on added
> extras these days, or what they think their customers think makes them
> better (mostly marketing it seems). You might want to try XO too if they
> serve your area -- I'm not affiliated with them but I do work with them
> alot as we use some of their services and have had generally good luck
> with them.
> 
> I'm not sure if Level3 sells T1s any longer. Last time I spoke with one of
> their engineering guys I was told that they really only want to sell DS3
> and larger circuitry, but that might have just been for transport and not
> general Internet access service.
> 
> > We already have circuits from Sprint and we'd prefer to maintain some
> > carrier diversity so we're probably leaning toward MCI or AT&T.
> 
> Unless you are in an on-net building for a carrier, all your circuits are
> likely to come in on facilities owned by your local ILEC regardless of the
> carrier you order from. This limits how much "extra reliability" you will
> get by ordering services from several carriers. In 2003 when the big
> eastern US blackout happened, one area near here lost an entire ILEC CO
> (their generator seized apparently), which wiped out telecom service for
> an entire area. Just a thought... If you are in a building that is on-net
> for several carriers then you should consider ordering service from those
> carriers in your building since you're likely to actually be on diverse
> equipment (and possibly paths too) that way.
> 
>     -Bill
> 
> *****************************
> Waveform Technology
> Systems Engineer
> 
>