DS3 Bandwidth For The Non-Technical User

Many homes now have a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) installed for the purpose of accessing the Internet and to send and receive E-mail. Most of these people now have a fair idea of the meaning of bandwidth. Because of this, DS3 Bandwidth should be easier to explain.

Earlier circuits were known by the classifications T1, T2 and T3 and these applied to the equipment used to process the signals. Now, there are DS1, DS2 and DS3 classifications which are equivalent to the earlier classes but refer instead to the rate and the format of the signal itself. The DS code is a Digital Signal code and the DS3 designation is the same as the former T3 circuit.

Running at 45 Mbps, full DS3 circuits are faster by approximately 90 times compared to a normal DSL line. This is the equivalent of 90 people using the Internet, or any application, all at the same time and enjoying similar response times as a single user at home on an ordinary DSL line. DS3 is able to run over twenty times the speed of a T1 connection which makes it an excellent choice for companies requiring high speed data transfers between their branches and head office.

Fractional DS3 may be used if the full 45 Mbps is not required. This means the user can utilize a portion of the bandwidth at a slower speed to cut down on the charges. Burstable DS3 is another option, meaning a user can operate at slower speeds during the day and then switch to full speed at a pre-arranged time and duration agreed between the client and the service provider.

The DS3 connection can transport full-motion real-time video together with large company databases, on the busiest of networks. The traffic from many large companies and from universities, usually very high volume, can be easily transported on these lines. Other users like those who supply VoIP and PBX systems, call centres, video conferencing, research facilities and software development could make very good use of these lines.

Two different monthly charges apply to these lines. One charge is for a local loop, that portion of the line from a users office to the nearest local exchange. The remaining charge is for port rental, enabling access to the network owned by the carrier. Charges for the local loop portion often vary and are dependent upon the clients distance from the local exchange.

By combining 28 DS1 signals together, then multiplexing this group to form 7 DS2 signals which are then again multiplexed, a single DS3 Bandwidth line can be established from the entire package. This is a line that is able to carry the equivalent data for 672 telephone conversations.