What is the difference between a T1 Line and a T3?

Written by: Brad Dudley - Sep 8, 2008

In telecommunications, as in life, what would seem to be the obvious answer is not always the correct answer. A T3 is not the equivalent of three T1's. A T1 Line is a pair of either copper wires or fiber optic cables that run in to your location directly from the central office of the T1 Provider. The same is true for a T3 connection. But that is where the similarities end. T1 Service is 1.544 MBPS, the equivalent of 24 phone lines from your telephone company. T3 Service is 28 t1 lines, 43.232 MBPS, or 672 phone lines. As you can see there is a great difference in the amount of information that can be transferred by a T3 as compared to a T1. There is also a large difference in cost. A T1 Line can be had for around $350 per month in some markets, where as, a T3 Line can cost anywhere from $7500 to $14000 per month.