Gigabit Ethernet, or “Gig-E” for short, is ultra-high capacity IP transit service offered to enterprises around the world by way of a fiber-optic cable that forms the backbone of the communication link between the carrier and the end-user. The word “Gigabit” refers to the capacity of the link, which is 1,000 Megabytes, or a Gigabyte, per second. The range of Gigabit Ethernet is typically between 1,000 Mb (1 Gb) and 40,000 Mb (40 Gb). Researchers today are in the process of creating industry standards for 100 Gb Ethernet, but that is still a few years away.

Metro Ethernet, or “Metro-E” for short, is a high capacity broadband service offered to businesses around the world using a fiber optic cable for transit between the carrier network and the end-user. The word “metro” refers to the fact that the fiber optic run spans from one side of the city to another, and “Ethernet” refers to the type of IP handoff involved at each end of the connection. Unlike copper-based TDM services that are available just about everywhere, Metro-E is limited only to buildings in which fiber has been connected by a commercial internet service provider

Ethernet over Copper (otherwise known as EoC) service offers businesses in the United States a symmetric broadband connections to the internet, and/or to a carrier backbone network, at speeds ranging from 2.0 Mbps to 75 Mbps. Unlike T1 service that is available practically everywhere, Ethernet over copper service has variable reach. The closer a customer is to the carrier’s central office (CO), the faster the connection capability / broadband speeds.

Ethernet over DS1 (EoDS1) is Ethernet internet connectivity with T1 availability and reliability. EoDS1 installs DS1 loops and special equipment to deliver Ethernet service to your location without distance or building restrictions. These Ethernet services cost less per meg than traditional bonded circuits–while delivering faster speed and reliability.

Starting off as a simple service to residential and small businesses to carry TV signals, cable internet and cable internet providers have been able to evolve and service small to large enterprise businesses for more than just a TV need. Now serving a variation of different products to fit every customers need, Cable Internet Providers can offer internet access, internet transit and peering, domain name registration and hosting, voice services and phone features — and of course, the original TV need.

T1 lines usually consist of copper wire but have now been modified to include optical and wireless media. A stand-alone data T1 can carry twenty-four digitized voice channels and data at the speed of 1.544 megabits per second. Customers do have the option to purchase a bonded T1 circuit as well. This consists of up to four single 1.5Mbps T1 circuits acting as one to deliver speeds up to 12Mbps.