Can we switch from T1 lines to Cable or Fiber?

[sr-pdx]

Our business has multiple locations that are all running 908e units.  Each location has between one and four T1 lines coming in to service both our internet and voice needs.  The problem we are running into is that we need more bandwidth in this day and age.  Is it possible to use one of the Ethernet ports on the 908e for a connection to a cable modem or fiber optic connection and replace the T1 lines that we have coming in?  How would this affect our voice/telephones since the voice service also goes through the T1 lines? Each location also has an Iwatsu Enterprise-CS SBE phone system so that we can call by extension to/from any branch location without incurring long distance costs.  I THINK it's SIP based phones... but I'm not certain about that. Finally, we have our entire business' internal network connected so that all branch locations (about 20 of them) are all on the same network.  In a nut shell, we need to increase out bandwidth significantly (not just add another T1 line) by going to fiber optic or cable internet service and we need to know if we can plug it into the 908e directly and not lose what we already have.  Help!

[Anonymous]

It should work fine.

You will need to reconfigure the Adtran units.

I believe the Adtran units max out at around 25mb.

Another thing to take in to consideration is that if you change providers you will probably need to reconfigure your equipment to use the new IP addresses.

[sr-pdx]

Can I replace the T1 lines completely? Will the voice service still

work? How would I go about this?

Thank you,

Geramy Rapp

Purchasing

Six Robblees, Inc.

11010 Tukwila International Blvd.

Seattle, Washington 98168

Six Robblees Logo

[Anonymous]

If they are data T1 then yes.

You will need to work with your phone service provider and PBX vender on this.

[sr-pdx]

I am not super familiar with T1 lines... but i know that our voice service runs on them too and that for each call that comes in, the data speeds drop slightly.  What would our options be if it were NOT just a data T1? 

[Anonymous]

Sr-pdx,

Thanks for posting!  I just wanted to chime in here and agree with the advice that you work with your phone service provider on this issue.  Often, the voice service will only work when connected directly to their network.  If the bandwidth for internet access is not sufficient for your needs, your provider may be able to offer upgraded services.  They would also be able to clarify if the unit would work properly when connected through a different Internet Service Provider.  Lastly, you could look into a separate ISP just for your data service, but leave your Adtran unit and its T-1 interfaces in place for voice service.

Thanks!

David

[sr-pdx]

It seems to me that if the phone company has to be involved in

recommendations, they would have absolutely no reason to suggest the

best solution for me unless it was their product. Why would they ever

suggest I move away from their product line even if I could get a MUCH

better service from another company? Also, if I have to stay with T1

lines for voice, then that defeats the point of trying to better our

service while saving money.... I would have to spend the same amount on

T1 lines AND pay additional for separate internet service. There's GOT

to be a better solution in this day and age than T1 lines...

[Anonymous]

Sr-pdx,

I went ahead and flagged this post as "Assumed Answered".  If any of the responses on this thread assisted you, please mark them as Correct or Helpful as the case may be with the applicable buttons.  This will make them visible and help other members of the community find solutions more easily.  If you still need assistance, I would be more than happy to continue working with you on this - just let me know in a reply.

Thanks!

David