The End of T1

Prior to the pandemic, the use of T1 lines was declining, but only gradually. Many businesses didn’t want to part with their existing technologies. Upgrading solutions seemed intimidating, complicated, and largely unnecessary. But now these technologies are aging out, and the "T1 time bomb" approaches and it’s up to business owners to find new and better solutions.  

For those who may not be aware, the FCC has issued regulations recently that allow the biggest T1 providers to stop giving customers wholesale access to their copper-based network. This could increase the cost of T1 lines by 400 percent by July 2022!  

Let's unpack what a T1 line is and why a departure from T1 is significant and imminent.  

What is a T1 Line?

At its core, a T1 line is a copper wire capable of transferring data from one place to another through digital signaling. Because of their massive bandwidth, T1 lines have been industry standard for quite some time. To give you some idea, a single T1 line can transmit the same amount of data as 24 traditional lines. Businesses that employed hundreds – and even thousands – of employees chose to invest in T1 because it was a cost-effective high-speed internet connection. But, as with many things, T1 has slowly been phased out for other more advanced options.

The T1 Beginnings

But how did we get so involved with T1 lines in the first place? For that, we're going to have to go back to 1933. That year, the United States government allowed AT&T to become a monopoly so that the company could expand its network across the country. They wanted every citizen to have access to reliable connections, no matter where they were located.  

Once that network was built out, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 was passed. This broke up AT&T's monopoly, requiring the company to give other service providers wholesale access to its network. It revitalized communications – lowering costs for providers and customers alike and inspiring all kinds of innovations.  

So, if T1 was so important and helpful at one time, why are the bigger carriers phasing it out?  

T1: Reasons for Retirement

T1 lines – and copper infrastructure in general – are expensive and time-consuming to maintain. Many providers believe their money is better spent on building their IP infrastructure. It's simple, affordable, and far more flexible.  

For businesses like yours, the drawbacks include:

• A Rise in Usage Costs: As stated before, carriers are beginning to retire their copper network and the already-pricey rates will become insurmountable.  
• Underperforms Compared to Other Solutions: TDM technology can no longer keep up with a modern business' bandwidth needs. It also doesn't integrate well with mobile devices or cloud-based applications, a staple in the current work-from-home environment.  

• Minimal or No Failover Options: When T1 lines are down, they're down. Your business is forced to a screeching halt while waiting for a technician to repair whatever has gone wrong.

From T1 to Tierzero - Here's How We Can Help!

At Tierzero, we want you to get ahead of the rapidly shifting industry standard. This is why we offer a multitude of internet solutions designed to fit your needs, whatever they may be. From fiber to fixed wireless, we are sure to have the perfect solution to replace your outdated t1 solution!

We also offer solutions to fit your communications needs as well, making us your one-stop shop! Here are just a few of the advantages a partnership with Tierzero could provide:

• Support for critical business functions
• Future-proofing your communication via continuous development and upgrades
• Reoccurring monthly savings  

Don't wait until your solutions are obsolete. Reach out to our experienced technicians today to start your technological transformation.

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