OC3 - Is it Right for You?
Is it time to upgrade to a OC3? There are several factors to consider when examining you current DSL connection and the possiblity of replacing it. For many people the biggest factor is reliability and if reliability is critical to the applications you run over your connection you should seriously consider replacing your DSL connection with a OC3. DSL is a quick and cost effective method of acquiring high speed bandwidth however it is not intended to support commercial applications or large numbers of users as is a OC3 connections.

The Art of Pricing a OC3 Line
A step up from a call to the local phone company is the use of a broker or agent. An independent agent can help reduce the number of phone calls by asking you the questions once and searching through multiple providers to get the service that is right for you. The agent helps steer clear of the bias you will receive when speaking with one vendor as the agent will be paid no matter which service you choose. If you happen to be searching for a dedicated voice OC3, the agent will give you quotes for dedicated voice OC3's for multiple service providers. Still, the agent has a shortcoming in that there is typically a delay between the time you have your conversation and the time you get your information. This can take a day or two.

Compare OC3 Services in 1.5 Seconds
If you are searching for OC3 service I highly recommend a look at this website. I have searched the web and found that this is really the only tool that differentiates itself from the long list of brokers that are happy to take your information and return it to you in a few days with quotes from a few carriers. In the age of instant gratification Shop4OC3.com is a winner!

OC3 Internet - Life in the Fast Lane
Ever used a OC3 internet connection? Upgrading to this level of service is like going from an old used car to a new sports car. You'll feel the speed imediately! While both OC3 and DSL connections claim to have a speed of 1.5Mbps, the former actually delivers it's claim. DSL and cable connections are severely oversubcribed and cannot always deliver the bandwidht they project expecially at peak hours. Ready to feel the difference? You may have already if your office has critical applications that use the web. If your office hosts e-mail, webservers or more than 20 people on internet access you most likely already have a dedicated OC3 connection. If not, get one fast!!

OC3 Internet Access for Dummies
Many of the desperate companies are putting together inferior products they claim are OC3 products. Be leary of products with the funny titles like "burstable" and "reach". These products are oversubscribed much like a DSL product. This means the provider put's a singled OC3 connnection in a CO (Central Office) and sells OC3 connections to 3 or 4 customers hoping they don't all use the service at the same time. True OC3 access means dedicated access to the internet and you always have access to 1.54Mbps.

OC3 Access to the Web
Are you ready for OC3 service? You may be ready if you have critcal services that need a reliable connection to the internet. If you run ASP services, host e-mail servers or web servers, have over 20 people accessing the internet or use video on demand you should consider OC3 access. While more expensive that DSL, OC3 access is made to support the above applications. Also remember that when you begin shopping for OC3 service you should partner with someone who will act as your agent and represent your best interests. Consider using a broker or agent to help you with your search and cut through some of the industry lingo to help you get exactly what you need.

OC3 Internet Connection Basics
At the most fundamental level, a OC3 internet connection is the link from your companies data infrastructure to the rest of the world. A OC3 connection is sometimes referred to as a "dedicated service" as the service is delivered to and from the customer premise from the CO (Central Office) without combining it with other traffic. A OC3 connections is established by providing a "loop" or wire from the users premesis to the CO where the service provider has equipment. Part of the cost of a OC3 is the "loop charge" or the monthly rental fee for the wire that is rented from the local phone company. Once the connection reaches the CO it can access the carriers network and reach any destination.

Virtual Private Networks (VPN) 101
'During the last 18 months, vendors have pushed VPN technology into different devices, have lessened the distinction between VPN and firewall products, and have demonstrated a strong willingness to deviate from standardized technology to meet corporate remote access requirements. VPN services now come bundled with many dedicated services and several service providers are using VPN products as a loss leader so they can sell circuits. When investigating the use of VPN products make sure you speak with a professional who can guide you through the strengths as well as the weaknesses of the product. While it is a cost reduced alternative to frame it is a different product and should be thoroughly researched.

Finding the Right OC3 Provider
Remeber that the OC3 provider you select will be your partner for quite some time so take caution in your decision. The worst part of being with a bad provider is the fact that it will affect your business. Dropped calls or an internet connection that goes down can be disastrous to a business. We found that the larger companies like AT&T and Sprint will release companies from long term contracts it if is shown that the voice or data OC3 service was faulty on a regular basis, however the release from such a contract will not help recoup the damages of the lost calls and e-mails from the poor service. When shopping for a OC3 provider we suggest using a broker and asking for referals from current customers to give you an indication of what you can expect.

Finding a Quality OC3 Service Provider
While an agent can get you the information you're looking for without the pushy approach of a single carrier there is typically a delay between the time you have your conversation and the time you get your information. Agents and brokers can sometimes take several days to search the providers, send e-mails and get responses to your specific needs. The advantage, however, is that you don't have to do the searching you can go about you business and have someone else do this free of charge.

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