The Ethernet Internet Connection

Business users have typically connected to the Internet through a T1 dedicated line or a DS3 bandwidth service. Ethernet Internet connections are now available, with cost and bandwidth advantages.

What is Ethernet Internet?

The Internet is based on IP or Internet Protocol, a packet-switched technology. Ethernet is the protocol that runs on nearly all company LANs using the protocol suite TCP/IP. TCP or Transmission Control Protocol, is what makes sure your data packets get from one place to another intact. Other protocols are used for streaming services, such as voice and video. What the near universal use of the Internet did was to make Ethernet, IP and TCP/IP the overwhelming standards for connecting computers.

Until recently, the link from your location to the Internet has been through standards developed for telephone services. It started with dial-up access over analog phone lines and then expanded to DSL and T1 lines for broadband. When those speeds aren’t high enough, DS3 or fiber optic SONET services are used. What Ethernet Internet does is give you a connection from your network to the Internet using a common Ethernet protocol.

What Are The Advantages of Ethernet Internet Connections?

One big advantage is simplicity of connection. With T1 lines and other telephone services, you need special interface circuitry called CSU/DSU, which can be a stand alone device or a plug-in module for your router. Ethernet Internet connects via a standard RJ-45 jack or standard fiber optic network connector, depending on speed of service.

Since Ethernet is the protocol used for both LAN and WAN, the efficiency of the connection is improved. There is no need for a protocol conversion between computer and telephone network standards. This helps to speed up transmissions and reduce latency.

The Greatest Advantage of Ethernet - Cost Savings

Probably the greatest advantage of using Ethernet Internet connections is cost. Ethernet has been embraced by both traditional telecom service providers, and numerous competitive carriers that don’t have legacy telecom services to maintain. Some competitive carriers can bypass the incumbent telephone carriers completely and provide Ethernet connections through their own fiber optic cabling or wireless point to point services. Others lease just the already-installed copper wires to deliver Ethernet service using their own terminal equipment. This is known as Ethernet over Copper. 

The result of all this competition is that you can typically get a 3 Mbps Ethernet connection for what you pay for a 1.5 Mbps T1 line. The 10 Mbps Ethernet service can be had for what T1 cost a few years ago. 

What Ethernet Internet Service Levels Are Available?

Ethernet Internet connections can be had in all bandwidths from 1 Mbps up to 10 Gbps. The lower speeds, from 1 Mbps to 50 Mbps, are typically available over existing copper pair wiring. Higher bandwidths require a fiber optic connection. Some providers are so anxious to expand their service areas that you can get the fiber installation for free or at a reduced cost if you can guarantee enough bandwidth usage.

How Do You Find Ethernet Internet Service?

That’s fast and easy. Simply use the Ethernet Internet Finder form on this site.