• OC3 Bandwidth

• OC3 Bandwidth Overview
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OC3 Questions and Answers

What is an OC3 Line??

OC3 lines provide a massive 155.52 Mbps capacity, providing enough capacity for some of the largest internet backbone networks, carrying traffic around the world. Like other OC-x lines, these lines conform with the ANSI standard SONET (Synchronous Optical Network), allowing telecoms carriers around the world to interconnect their networks.

What is the capacity and Costs of an OC3 Line?

OC3 lines provide the equivalent capacity of 100 T1, or almost 4 times that of T3 lines.  Prices for providing OC3 lines carry a high price tag ranging from around $20,000 to $45,000 per month putting them firmly in the price bracket of big business. 

With such a large capacity, OC3 lines are typically used by Internet Service Providers, or large enterprises with high volume network traffic requirements. The Optical Carrier (OC) line capacity is indicated by the number following ‘OC’, with the number identifying the multiple of bandwidth offered over the base OC1 : therefore OC-3 offers 3 times the 51.84 Mbps capacity of an OC-1 line.

OC3 lines are also available with fractional bandwidth allowing a lower bandwidth commitment, but allowing ‘burst’ speeds at times of increased network activity.  Providers can offer as low a bandwidth commitment as 10Mbps with bursts up to the maximum capacity of 155Mbps. This can provide flexibility to smaller enterprises that do not normally require the entire bandwidth of an OC3 line, but who cannot commit to the high costs of a dedicated line for their business.

Although OC3 has a huge capacity there are many higher levels of OC lines and there are even future theoretical OC lines starting from OC-256!

What is the Speed difference between Internet Connections?

Why should I choose an OC3?

Companies who host high traffic web sites, support web hosting, and need high capacity bandwidth on an as-needed basis. Also universities/colleges, government offices, and high volume call centers. A full OC3 can accommodate many simultaneous users depending on the requirements of the business. Generally a OC3 line is installed as a major networking channel for large corporations or universities with high volume network traffic. This is an always-on, high-speed connection that provides a dedicated, stable and reliable link to the Internet, and can support up to 500 or more computer users.

Who needs an OC3?

• Companies experiencing local bandwidth challenges
• Large companies with multiple locations within a metropolitan area
• Companies with high bandwidth applications for data, voice, video or detailed imaging
• Companies needing last mile access to long distance or Internet services

Global Communications Group Q&A

What are your Customer Service hours?
The service providers operate 24x7, 7 days a week. If you need to reach our headquarters office, we are available between 8am to 5pm MST.

How will I be billed?
We represent multiple companies and have negotiated competitive rates with each. You will be billed for the services you use by the underlying service provider.

Why should I work with GCG instead of the Carrier directly?

1. Service. When you need help, we're only a phone call away, and you won't be sitting on hold waiting for us.
2. Rates. We have negotiated pricing for services. In most cases, our rates are lower than those offered directly through the carriers providers.
3. Choice. As a Master Agent representing different carriers, we work with you closely to choose the services that fit your requirements.
4. Additional Telecom Services. Please utilize us for your office internet, voice, and data service needs
5. Experience. Global Communications Group endeavors to be at the forefront of the technology. Our professional consultants have worked directly for major carriers over the past twenty five years implementing telecom services and supporting small, medium, and large business accounts.