T1 Line

[JMann2380]

We are going to be moving into a new building soon and we will need to get a T1 for internet and VOIP phones.  I have been talking to Bandwidth.com and they quoted me:

1Year:
Monthly cost: $272.00
Install: $250.00

2 Year:
Monthly cost: $266.00
Install: $125.00

3 Year:
Monthly cost: $254.00
Install: $0.00

Equipment: $20.00 Managed Router
Network Monitoring Services(Recommended): $30.00

Are those good prices?  Anyone else I should check with?  I have no idea how T1's work to be able to dig up the best deal.

[Pete]

seems about right for pricing, we just went with 8 bundled T1's in our office (MPLS ethernet not available).  We have a 100mbps Comcast business line for our backup with a bunch of IP's, you might want to look into that as well.

[JMann2380]

Would you go with a reseller like Bandwidth.com or try to find a local source?  What about the network monitoring service?

[Pete]

I would go direct to the local places.  Get several quotes and pit them against each other.  We did that and cut our cost by 50%

Most providers have their own monitoring service.

[JMann2380]

Who would the local places be?  I have no idea who provides T1 lines.

[Pete]

just have to do some Googling.  Our local places are Integra Telecom, Zayo, Popp Telecom, Covad, Qwest, AT&T etc.


FYI we pay $250 a month for the Comcast 100down 50mbps up line with 20 ip addresses 

[ELake]

We get beat up pretty heavy on our AT&T T1 its over $200 but they are the only show in town. 25/25 Charter service is also over $200 a month.

Since we went with the Cisco IP phones and AT&T VOIP services (only show in town) we were stuck with the AT&T T1.

[Pete]

We get beat up pretty heavy on our AT&T T1 its over $200 but they are the only show in town. 25/25 Charter service is also over $200 a month.

Since we went with the Cisco IP phones and AT&T VOIP services (only show in town) we were stuck with the AT&T T1.

and a shitty ISP that won't support you.  Josh, don't use AT&T 

[ELake]

Yeah stay the F away.

Go with Vonage or some shit for your VOIP 

Love the Cisco Phones though. Rolling the 7941 series here, some with sidecars etc. Some really nice management features with the Cisco CallManager too.

[JMann2380]

My VOIP is through a company called Easton Communications, they are a local company in the Northeast I think.  Runs about $300 a month with 3 phones and were are on the phone about 10 hours solid every day.  It's on my list though to shop around once my contract is up.

I had www.virtualpbx.com when I had regular landlines to act as our virtual phone system and really liked their services, especially their queues.  They have a VOIP system now too I may check out.

[Jeremy]

Yeah stay the F away.

Go with Vonage or some shit for your VOIP 

Love the Cisco Phones though. Rolling the 7941 series here, some with sidecars etc. Some really nice management features with the Cisco CallManager too.

The 7941s are nice.  We have a nice mix of 41s, 42s, 62s with sidecars and 11s.

[Jeremy]

We get beat up pretty heavy on our AT&T T1 its over $200 but they are the only show in town. 25/25 Charter service is also over $200 a month.

Since we went with the Cisco IP phones and AT&T VOIP services (only show in town) we were stuck with the AT&T T1.

You should check out US Signal, they have coverage up there.  They are out of Grand Rapids and they are one of the best regional carriers around.  We just placed an order for 20 MPLS circuits through them, including 3 in the UP.  Average price is $250, but the ones in the UP are  $800 a month. 

And dealing with AT&T since they own the last mile blows.

[Jeremy]

My VOIP is through a company called Easton Communications, they are a local company in the Northeast I think.  Runs about $300 a month with 3 phones and were are on the phone about 10 hours solid every day.  It's on my list though to shop around once my contract is up.

I had www.virtualpbx.com when I had regular landlines to act as our virtual phone system and really liked their services, especially their queues.  They have a VOIP system now too I may check out.

You should look into Cisco's Call Manager Express.  You could get a nice setup for a couple thousand or so buying used and refurbished. CME runs on the router so its a nice bundled service.  A Cisco 2801 will handle up to 25 phones.  You can get refurbished 7941s or 7942 phones from CDW for $250 or so. 

[Jeremy]

Who would the local places be?  I have no idea who provides T1 lines.

There are telecommunication companies that will shop all available carriers for you at no charge.  They get paid by the provider for bringing in a new customer.  Look for a company like that in your area.  We use a company called Telegration here in michigan and they have no problem getting us circuits at our 2 offices in ohio.  Ive also used CDW in the past and they were great.  

Some other carriers you may want to check out are XO and Paetec.  

Also, is there a legit reason a T1 is needed?  You are more than likely to get locked into a 3 year contract which can suck.  You may be better off getting POTS lines and a line through comcast for internet and you could save some money while enjoying much better internet speeds.