You’ve got a T1 service, so have I - but I pay less

T1 for Less

Isn’t this something all of us want to say about what we pay? The same goes with your internet connection as well, even if you’re talking about a T1 service, most people believe can’t be less than $500 a month. But how about we give you a T1 line pricing as low as $150?

As is the case with just about every product or service you might purchase as an individual or as an organization, there is always scope for a little bargaining and a fair bit of scope for bargain hunting.

T1

A lady walks into a jewelry store and asks “What is the price of this pearl necklace”. The jeweler replies, “$10,000.” She buys the necklace and later sues the jeweler because the pearls were not original.




 

  
 
 

The jeweler argued that he did not claim that the necklace had real pearls. The court ruled in favor of the jeweler because of the clause Caveat Emptor - or buyers beware. This applies to when you’re shopping for a T1service as well. The ground rules are

  • Know what you want
  • Know what to look for - do your homework and your research well
  • Know where to find loop holes and bargaining points
  • Know the laws and the clauses your ISP can hide behind

Well, a regular small-business owner wouldn’t necessarily be aware of all these…and to be forthright, neither would most medium sized or large business owners. Hence they either end up calling either one, or a few ISPs, and get T1 Service quotes from them, or end up looking up a broker to do this for them.

Bandwidth and contracts

When you choose an ISP for your T1 Service, you sign a contract with the provider and each provider has specific terms that can and will be used against you in the event of a contest or a conflict. Make sure you read and understand the ramifications of each of the clauses of your contract before you sign. Speak with your attorney if you have any confusion - ask your attorney/legal advisor to be present and guide you through each of the clauses and what they imply.

Other major aspects that most buyers tend to overlook are these.

  • Your bandwidth is a limited pipe, even if it is a full T1 service, or a Bonded. If you use more than you bargain for, you’ll have to pay, and sometimes at exorbitant rates.
  • You may be bound by your T1 service contract early termination penalties can be heavy, and sometimes be as much as the lease fee for the remainder of your contract period.

When you opt for a T1 service, make sure it is in sync with the business outlook of your company for the duration of the contract period or at least a significant part. For example, if you’re planning on expanding your operations, make sure you have planned for the bandwidth requirements of the increased work-force before you sign a T1 service contract with your ISP. Similarly, if you are planning on moving or shifting base to another place, make sure this also considered when you choose your T1 service.

To broker or not to broker

One advantage of using a broker for acquiring a T1 service is that you don’t have to run around from one ISP to another just to get a quote. A possible additional advantage is that the broker can guide you to the ISP with the best T1 service rates.

A major disadvantage is that the broker could guide you to the T1 service that pays the highest commission. A second major advantage is that the broker could also be in the business of selling computer hardware such as routers, you want to beware as they might lead you to providers who don’t include the installation hardware in their offer.

Also you can lease your hardware from your ISP, instead of purchasing them outright. This would ensure that the ball is firmly in the ISP’s court during downtimes caused by hardware issues. However, with a little attention to detail, and asking the right questions, you can avoid these issues. Before you choose to work with a particular broker, ask for references and make sure you contact the references with questions like

  • Were you provided with adequate options for your purchase
  • Were you pressurized to choose the T1 service of a particular ISP
  • Were you approached with unsolicited sales calls for purchase of hardware or any other products or services related to your T1 service
  • Were you provided acceptable after sales service by the broker

When you are talking to your broker, ensure that you clearly specify your requirements and ask for quotes from all T1 service providers. Given we understand the rigors small and medium businesses go through while opting for a T1 service, this is our attempt to simplify it for you. If you are looking for a reliable T1 service, fill up this form and we will provide you with the best prices, no strings attached. Your quest for saving on your T1 service bills ends here.