A Change Is A-Coming

By David Byrd

By David Byrd, VP of Sales and Marketing, Broadvox

The workhorse for digital communications beyond a private network has been the T1. The T1, which stands for Trunk Level 1, is a digital transmission link operating at 1.544 Mbps. For several decades, businesses have looked to T1s to provide their voice communications connectivity. However, as VoIP has evolved and grown in the marketplace, a channelized product, such as a T1 (24 voice channels), becomes an anachronism. It is cheaper, faster and more future-oriented to install Ethernet for both internet and external network communications. The basic speed of Ethernet begins at 10 Mbps. Obviously, Ethernet beats a T1 for speed any day. However, for Ethernet to replace the T1 as the preferred connectivity option, its needs to be reliable, available and support broader distances from the primary central office or network element. Those requirements have now been met.

Carriers offering Ethernet connections are offering them with the same Service Level Agreements as for a T1. Its availability will soon be nationwide by several carriers and the distance from the central office to support Ethernet over Copper (EoC) is now 12,000 feet.

Today, Broadvox, in conjunction with Covad, is adding EoC and Ethernet over Bonded SDSL to its broadband product portfolio. In addition, we prefer direct connections to our enterprise customers be made using IP technology or Ethernet versus the more expensive TDM or channelized T1.

As more carriers engage in both the deployment and selling of Ethernet connections, it behooves them to find ways to interconnect their Ethernet offerings to improve the number of on-net locations. Neutral Tandem announced in February the support for such Ethernet exchanges or points of interconnection. In addition to Neutral Tandem, Ethernet exchanges are offered by Equinix and CENX.

Andre Temnorod, CEO of Broadvox, spoke of his vision or forecast for the transition from TDM to VoIP beginning in the late 1990s. You can listen to his more recent comments presented during the Broadvox 2010 Partner Summit. The comments are part of a Kickoff Dialogue moderated by Rich Tehrani, CEO TMC. Take a listen and comments are welcomed.

David Byrd is vice president of marketing and sales for Broadvox, and is responsible for marketing and channel sales programs to SMBs, enterprises and carriers as well as defining the product offering. Prior to joining Broadvox, David was the vice president of Channels and Alliances for Eftia and Telcordia.