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General discussion

Wireless 2mb Broadband vs. T1?

Aug 18, 2008 3:01AM PDT

I'm trying to figure out whether or not I should change my ISP.

Currently, my 10 employee office has a wireless internet provider. Just to clarify, it's one of those services that puts an antenna on your roof then beams broadband via microwave to you. My office is way too far away for DSL and the cable company here has said "We don't offer business services at your location and it would be too expensive to bring it there".

Thus the reason for the wireless.

So the wireless company promises us 2mb/sec up and down.

I can run any speed test available and get wildly varying results, but NEVER anything approaching 2mb. I can get 1600kbps if the wind is blowing the right way, but usually it's more like 800-900. I have recorded it as low as 41kbps... that's right FORTY ONE! Upload speeds range from 300-600kbps or lower.

I know that a few other offices in the building are using the same service from the same antenna. The company offers much higher speeds than 2Mbps. I ASSUME that several different accounts can run from the same antenna, so I'm not sure if their usage is affecting us.

I've done some research and found a T1 from Covad (Good company?) for a few bucks more than what I'm paying for the wireless. I know it's only 1.544Mbps, but I'm not seeing the 2Mbps I'm promised now anyway.

My question is this: Can I expect a more consistent, reliable and symetrical service from a hard wired T1 vs a wireless broadband provider? A little slower is ok as long as the overall experience is better because of a more consistently performing service.

Thanks to anyone who posts any thoughts on this!

Discussion is locked

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You'll get the speed as stated. HOWEVER.
Aug 18, 2008 3:56AM PDT

Just like any connection the speed to/from any server in the world is NEVER assured. That link speed is assured, just not past the ISP's gear.

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Symetrical service is the key word. . .
Aug 18, 2008 7:19AM PDT

Cable, DSL, wireless, are all ANALOG. Period, no matter what anyone tells you. Because they are analog they are asymmetrical and asynchronous. This means there is no clock signal. As you probably know, this means one speed down and another speed up.

T-1 is a symmetrical synchronous signal. It is the same speed up as it is down and because there is a clock signal it is synchronous. In a nutshell, you get a solid 1.544 Mb/s up and down. Constant and reliable, yes and yes.

Now.

As bob says, the link between you and the telephone central office, Covad, is 1.544. Beyond there it gets a little sticky.

Wayne (IBM freak - 6)

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