Ethernet Over Copper Challenges DS3 Speed
EoC solutions can provide the same bandwidth on twisted pair copper as traditional DS3 solutions requiring fiber optic cabling.
Once company outgrows and requires more speed, the standard upgrade might be to move to DS3 bandwidth. However DS3 is typically delivered over fiber optic SONET (Synchronous Optical Network, a standard for connecting fiber-optic transmission systems) connectivity. This can mean significant construction cost to the building or location unless the location or building is already lit for fiber optic service. But now new service utilizes existing standard copper telco wiring and offers DS3 speeds. This can be a great money saver to telcos and can translate to big savings for your business.
Fiber Optic WAN Connections
New service called EoC or Ethernet over Copper is now available. EoC provides higher bandwidth service, even up to the DS3 level of 45Mbps without the need for fiber optic cabling.
DS3 requires fiber optics cabling so why doesn’t EoC require fiber optics?
The explanation is in the technology. DS3 is a signal level definition developed for the original T-Carrier digital telephone standard, originally deployed over coaxial copper cable called T3 lines. Coaxial copper has given way to fiber optic cable with its much higher bandwidth capability. Nowadays DS3 is most often deployed over SONET fiber optic services. The usual SONET service starts at OC3 or 155 Mbps. But the way the T-Carrier and SONET signal levels were defined, DS3 and even DS1 (the signal level for T1) are easily multiplexed and demultiplexed onto SONET carriers.
High Bandwidth Over Twisted Pair Telco Wiring
Ethernet over Copper, EoC, is something else entirely. It’s not based on any of the earlier telco standards. But it uses telco wiring. The way that works is that the Ethernet provider leases the wires running to your building from the local phone company. Only the wires are leased. There’s no dial tone or other services provided by the telco. Bare lines like this are called “dry pairs.” The Ethernet provider hooks specialized termination equipment at each end of the dry pairs to transport the Ethernet signals. Usually a number of pairs are connected or “bonded” so that the system has enough capacity to deliver significant bandwidth.
The mechanics of how this is done are technically interesting, but are not something that you as a user need to deal with. The service provider will install customer premises equipment at your location to provide the interface between the copper telco pairs and the RJ45 connector that provides the WAN network signal to your local area network.
Distance Make a Difference
Nearly all businesses are already wired with multipair telephone cables used for traditional office telephone service. Some of the wires in these cables will be pressed into service to deliver your Ethernet service. But you should know that EoC is a limited range service. In other words, you need to be located within a few miles of a carrier office or POP (Point of Presence) to take advantage of this service. The closer you are to the POP, the higher the bandwidth you can get. Bandwidths of 5, 10, 20 and up to 45 Mbps are available depending on location.
The EoC Cost Advantage
Speed is one of Carrier Ethernet’s advantages. The other is cost. Ethernet services tend to not just rival DS3 pricing, but can be considerably less costly as well. You can attribute that to aggressive new competitive providers as well as the technology. You may well find yourself paying less for EoC service for point to point data connections or dedicated Internet service that you would going with traditional DS3 over SONET. That’s especially true if you don’t need the full 45 Mbps but require more than the 1.5 Mbps you get from T1 lines.
Call now to find out if EoC Ethernet over Copper services are available for your location. We will be happy to provide customize quotes. Simply click on the request a quote below and a friendly knowledgeable NuOz representative will be in contact shortly.