For years, we have been accustomed to local loops being delivered by multiples of T1 or E1 circuits. Then came fiber, which opened up Ethernet access. For businesses that do not have fiber delivered to their building, Ethernet over Copper provides a fine option. If your requirements are a 2xT1 or greater, then EoC offers a cost effective and scalable option.
Once a carrier lights a particular central office, all businesses within the distance limitations (about 12,000 feet/3657 meters, depending on the speed of bandwidth required) can immediately, and for the first time, get Ethernet services. EoC doesn’t support more than 10mbps for most businesses, so it’s not a great option for customers looking for 100mbps Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet speeds. But for the average business customer it’s a perfect fit. The price points are also very aggressive so that a customer can get 10mbps of EoC for about the same price as 3mbps of bonded T1s.
Where Ethernet is available, it is only a matter of time before the T1 dies as an access methodology.
