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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Dedicated Internet Access (DIA)?

A. Dedicated Internet Access is the type of connection used for customers to reach the Internet. Essentially, a customer's computer system is connected through a CSU/DSU to a router which information is then carried over a DS-1, DS-3 or OC3 circuit to our IP Network. Once routed over the IP backbone, the data is then driven by the distant end IP address to dive the customer to the appropriate site. Dial-Up Internet Access is another means in which a customer can connect to the Internet. This type of connection requires the customer to access the Internet through a toll free number.

Q. What is the Internet?

A. The Internet is composed of multiple networks tied together by a common protocol, TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol). TCP/IP is the set of protocols used in the Internet in order for computers to be able to speak to one another. Organizations also use these protocols for communications between multiple networks.

Q. What are the main selling points of Dedicated Internet Access?

A. We provide state of the art Internet products that allows customers to transfer information over a 55,000 mile OC-48 packet over SONET IP backbone infrastructure. This network utilizes "cold potato" routing which maximizes on-net traffic. In addition, our zero packet loss design offers customers the guarantee that all information will be transported accurately and efficiently from location to location. We offer the best Service Level Agreement in the industry including 75 millisecond on-net round trip, 100% network availability using a provided local loop access and a 10 minute notification to customers for network outages. As it stands today, 90+% of traffic flows across private peering today. The goal is to have IP traffic flowing over 95% of the private peering circuits.

Q. What port speeds are available through the DIA offering?

A. The following port speed are offered through our DIA:

Tiered DS-1
  • DS-3
  • OC-3
Burstable DS-1
  • DS-3
  • OC-3
  • OC-12
  • OC-48
Q. What applications can be used for each Connection DIA access speed?

A. Summary descriptions by access speed:

  • Fractional DS-1 Port speed increments: 56/64 Kbps, 112/128, 168/192, 224/256, 280/384, 336/512, 392/768, 1.544 Mbps

  • Low entry point, with maximum performance; capped at port speed

  • Introductory or exploratory access

  • Applications - best used with integrated access, where voice/data share the same T-1, provides lower cost to customer

  • Burstable DS-1 Usage bands from 128 Kbps to 1.544 Mbps

  • Low entry point, with maximum performance; always burstable to DS1

  • Introductory or exploratory access

  • Based on 95 percent of monthly readings of five-minute average data flow sampled every 10 minutes

  • Applications - Web hosting/searching, email

  • Flat Rate DS-1 1.544 Mbps

  • Base enterprise access

  • Applications - Enterprise-level applications, such as high volume e-mail, Web, FTP and news

  • Tiered DS-3 1.544 Mbps to 45 Mbps

  • Service is available in range of speeds, which are tiered by bandwidth usage and priced according to that usage

  • Enterprise traffic exceeds T-1, but does not require full T-3

  • Customer needs fixed cost service for budgeting purposes, but expects traffic volumes to grow consistently, exceeding T-1 capacity

  • Requires channelized CSU/DSU (Digital Link, Verilink, ADC/Kentrox)

  • Full DS-3 local loop required

  • Burstable DS-3 Based on 95 percent of monthly readings of five-minute average data flow sampled every 10 minutes

  • Enterprise doesn't require T3 all of the time, but may have consistent traffic spikes approaching 45Mbps

  • Applications - for customers needing occasional high-bandwidth Internet access with optimum performance, this provides a lower entry point

  • Flat Rate DS-3 45 Mbps

  • Large enterprise usage

  • May host multiple servers on-site (i.e. intranet, extranet, email, notes servers)

  • Potentially central office location (HQ)

  • Applications - Basic services (e-mail, etc...) plus e-commerce apps, document management (notes), collaboration, and/or video conferencing

  • OC Services 155 Mbps to 2.5 Gbps

  • Currently offer OC-3 and OC-12 services

  • Very large enterprises or government (i.e. school districts, government organizations, private sector Internet-focused enterprises)

  • Customer may be serving high-volume data (i.e. content providers, portal sites) or may be running high volume systems (typically government or educational institutions)

  • Traffic volumes consistently above 45 Mbps

  • Applications Real-time applications including video-conferencing, white boarding and VoIP, coupled with large volume usage of e-mail, http, ftp

  • Beyond single enterprise use where data is exchanged w/ multiple enterprises

  • "Channel master" such as trading networks (i.e. NYSE or ANX)

Q. Why should potential customers take notice of our Connection DIA?

A. Our Connection DIA is a dynamic product that offers customers the ability to transfer large amounts of data quickly and efficiently over our OC-48 IP backbone. This IP backbone will soon be converted to an OC192 IP backbone that will allow unlimited capacity.

Q. What are our current Service Level Agreements indicated in the Dedicated Internet Access Contract?

A. Network Availability: ( Goal of 100 percent network availability for all components of the IP network and local access facilities. Network downtime measured from the time trouble ticket open to circuit is able to transmit and receive data.
  • Average Round Trip Network Delay: 75 ms node-to-node delay on every trunk in the network
  • Customer Notification of Outages - Services are unavailable (i.e. router is unable to transmit and/or receive data): email, page, fax within 10 minutes of detected outage.
  • Normal Maintenance Upgrades (hardware, software and/or capacity): two-day notification to customers affected.
  • DIA Circuit Installation Goals: fractional DS-1s and DS-1within 45 days, DS-3 within 60 days, OC-3 in writing by our sales manager
  • Maximum Credits: customers shall not receive a credit in excess of seven (7) days of service for one given month. Credits increase if Network Availability SLA is not met.
Q. Where is the Connection DIA available?

A. It is available in the continental United States