Ethernet over Copper FAQ - Part 3

Ethernet over Copper FAQ - Part 3

Ethernet over Copper bandwidth service may well be the perfect solution to your business needs. Here are some additional FAQs that might help answer some of the questions you may have about this relatively new technology.

Q: Can Ethernet over Copper be used for business telephone?

A: While EoC is not a direct replacement for traditional analog or ISDN PRI telephone lines, it can be a cost effective upgrade and offer increased call capacity. Ethernet over Copper easily supports VoIP and SIP Trunking because it is a packet rather than channel based line service. EoC offers low jitter, latency and packet loss to preserve voice quality. Many of today’s PBX systems now interface to SIP trunks as well as ISDN PRI to provide multiple outside phone lines at a cost savings. This gives you a wide choice of telephone line options.

Q: Does EoC work for video conferencing?

A: Ethernet over Copper is a good solution for video conferencing because it offers higher bandwidths needed for today’s high definition real-time video along with symmetrical bandwidth that provides the same speed in both directions. EoC also works well for downloading or streaming video.

Q: How does EoC support cloud services?

A: Cloud services over the Internet and by direct connection need higher bandwidth levels, symmetrical bandwidth and low latency. EoC is a dedicated business grade service that supports the cloud communication needs of small and medium size organizations. Larger companies will want Ethernet over FIber to provide the necessary bandwidth to support the productivity of many employees

Q: What is Fast Ethernet over Copper?

A: Fast Ethernet over Copper or FastE is a 100 Mbps dedicated symmetrical bandwidth service that supports the maximum speed of many network devices. FastE is now suitable for even smaller companies that have moved their IT infrastructure to the cloud. While some companies have Fast Ethernet MAN and WAN service brought in on multiple copper pair, Fast Ethernet over fiber optic link is a more popular way to get bandwidths of 100 Mbps or more.

Q: What is a combination copper-fiber solution?

A: Copper and fiber can combine to give you a reasonable bandwidth level quickly while you wait for the higher bandwidth fiber provides but isn’t immediately available. How it works is that you order both a copper and fiber solution from one provider who agrees to cancel the copper contract at no penalty as soon as the fiber is up and running.

Q: When does Ethernet over MPLS make sense?

A: The beauty of MPLS or Multi-Protocol Label Switching networks is that they can transport nearly any protocol of traffic. In fact, they routinely transport multiple protocols without any customer being aware that other customers are also using the network. Ethernet over MPLS often has cost savings benefits, especially over nationwide and international distances. With Ethernet Virtual Private LAN service, you can connect a dozen or hundreds of business sites around the world as if they were on the same corporate LAN.

Are you ready to improve your company’s connectivity or get the same performance you have now at a lower price? If so, you should check availability and pricing for Ethernet over Copper services suitable for your commercial location.


You may also be interested in reading Ethernet over Copper FAQ (Part 1) and Ethernet over Copper FAQ (Part 2).

Ethernet over Copper FAQ - Part 2

Ethernet over Copper has become a serious contender for business connectivity solutions traditionally provided by T1 lines, DS3 bandwidth and OC3 fiber. Consider the following FAQ, frequently asked questions and answers, to help you decide if EoC service is right for your business.

Q: What is the cost advantage of EoC versus other line services

A: EoC generally offers a significant cost savings compared to what you are used to paying for business bandwidth services. For instance, a 3 Mbps Ethernet connection is often priced the same as a 1.5 Mbps T1 line. The cost savings are even more pronounced at higher bandwidth levels.

Q: What determines Ethernet over Copper availability?

A: The two major elements are local availability of service and distance from the central office that connects your copper pair cabling. T1, DS3 and OC3 have been around much longer that Ethernet over Copper and are more readily available. Not all offices have the necessary terminal equipment to support EoC. The bandwidth available from Ethernet over Copper technology is much higher close to the central office than farther away. While nearly all business locations can get lower bandwidths if available, the higher bandwidth services may be available over short distances only.

Q: Why is dedicated bandwidth important?

A: Dedicated means that you have exclusive use of the available bandwidth on your line. Consumer oriented line services, such as DSL and Cable are shared bandwidth arrangements where the speed of your connection varies with the activity level of other residential and business users. Dedicated bandwidth ensures that your connection won’t get bogged down just when you need it to be productive.

Q: What is EoDS1 and what is its application?

A: EoDS1 is a hybrid between EoC and T1. It essentially uses T1 lines to transport Ethernet service. This increases the geographical area where Ethernet is available and is generally lower in cost than multiple bonded T1 lines to achieve the same bandwidth.

Q: What is Carrier Ethernet?

A: Carrier Ethernet is the same Ethernet protocol that runs on your company LAN but extended for operation over metropolitan and wide area distances. The standards for this technology have been established by an industry association called the Metro Ethernet Forum or MEF. Carrier Ethernet includes Ethernet over Copper and Ethernet over Fiber.

Q: What special network services are available over Carrier Ethernet?

A: There are 3 services you may find interesting. Ethernet Line service or E-Line is a point to point connection, similar to what you get with T1 and other telecom services. Because the protocol is Ethernet on both the LAN and WAN, you can bridge LANs at two business locations to create one larger business network. E-LAN or Ethernet LAN service is a meshed network arrangement that interconnects 3 or more business locations. E-Tree or Ethernet Tree service is a one to many connection suitable for content distribution.

Q: Is EoC suitable for Internet service?

A: Internet connectivity is one of the more popular ways that EoC is used for business. A dedicated Ethernet Internet connection gives you a highly reliable link from your location to the Internet. EoC bandwidth is symmetrical (the same in both upload and download directions) to support voice, video and cloud services as well as Web browsing and email.

Could Ethernet service be the right answer to your business connectivity needs? See what Ethernet over Copper bandwidths and pricing are available for your business location.


You may also be interested in reading Ethernet over Copper FAQ (Part 1) and Ethernet over Copper FAQ (Part 3).

Ethernet over Copper FAQ

Business bandwidth options have increased dramatically over the last few years. One new technology that is rapidly gaining popularity is Ethernet over Copper or EoC. Before you sign a contract or renew an existing one for the connectivity you have now, see if these FAQs pique your interest in this newer bandwidth service.

Q: What is Ethernet over Copper service?

A: Ethernet over Copper is a digital line service that transmits Ethernet network signals over twisted pair telecom cabling. It essentially transports your LAN traffic over metropolitan and wide area networks.

Q: How does EoC relate to T1 line service?

A: Both EoC and T1 use the same twisted pair telephone cable installed by the incumbent local telephone company. The modulation technology for EoC is different from what is used for T1, so the performance of the line services each have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Q: Why would you order Ethernet over Copper instead of T1?

A: The advantages of EoC include higher available bandwidth at lower cost that equivalent T1 line services and easy scalability. There are also Ethernet services available that T1 doesn’t support.

Q: Does T1 still make sense in light of EoC?

A: T1 has the advantages of nearly unlimited availability and a locked-in line speed that isn’t related to how far you are from the telco office. You can get T1 line service in rural areas where Ethernet over Copper does not yet reach. A special type of T1 line called ISDN PRI is popular for PBX telephone trunking. EoC is has no direct equivalent.

Q: What bandwidth levels are available with Ethernet over Copper?

A: Entry level service is typically 2 or 3 Mbps, compared with 1.5 Mbps for T1 lines. Just about any increment in service level is available. Popular bandwidths are 3, 6, 10, 12, 15, 20, 25 and 30 Mbps. In some cases, you can get as much as 50 or 100 Mbps over copper.

Q: Does this mean that EoC can replace fiber?

A: EoC and be a viable alternative to fiber optic service in the lower speeds that fiber operates. Some companies don’t need the full fiber bandwidth of OC3 at 155 Mbps or even DS3 (a fiber/copper hybrid) at 45 Mbps. For these applications, 10 or 20 Mbps may be fast enough and offer a considerable cost savings.

Q: How do you connect to EoC service?

A: The service provider will install a piece of CPE or Customer Premises Equipment at your location. This device will have an Ethernet port that is similar to what you find on any other piece of network equipment. You just plug it in to your edge router or switch and you’ll have connectivity.

Q: What is meant by easy scalability?

A: Traditional telecom services are designed for very specific bandwidths that aren’t easily changed. If you upgrade service, that means a “truck roll” to install a new interface and possibly a long wait while the carrier make the network changes necessary to support a higher bandwidth to your location. The Ethernet over Copper CPE has an Ethernet port with a maximum speed, typically 100 Mbps or 1 Gbps. As long as you don’t need more than the maximum bandwidth supported, you can change to a higher or lower speed service in a matter of hours or days, rather than weeks or months.

Does EoC sound like a service that might work for your business connectivity needs? If so, find out what Ethernet over Copper bandwidths and costs are available for your location.


You may also be interested in reading Ethernet over Copper FAQ (Part 2) and Ethernet over Copper FAQ (Part 3).

Customer Service Using Clouds and Social Networks

Customer service can make or break a company. You’ve heard how it is so much cheaper to keep an existing customer than get a new one. You’ve no doubt also heard how good customer experiences amount to free positive advertising for your company. On the other hand, one frustrated customer can do a lot of damage, especially these days when social networks make it easy to spread the venom.

Here’s the carrot and stick. Create an excellent customer service system for your company and you’ll be rewarded. Do a crummy job and you’ll be punished royally in the marketplace. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to take the high road in customer service. What you are seeking is a ready-to-go, easy-to-use customer support system that integrates the new social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, along with traditional contact methods like email and toll free numbers. Here it is, take a look...



Does this sound like the type of system you’ve been wishing you had someone to develop? Forget paying the big bucks for a proprietary in-house system. Assistly has already done the heavy development lifting and is ready to go to work in your organization. Not so sure? No problem. Take the Assistly free trial offer and see if works for you. There’s no commitment. You don’t even need a credit card. Give it a go for 30 days and then see if you can bear the thought of giving up the best customer service tool you’ve ever used.

Assistly is fond of saying that they aren’t just about satisfying customers, but wowing them. That’s the new paradigm is an economy stuck in the doldrums. When business is booming, there’s more than enough for everyone and customers come to accept so-so service. These days customers know that their dollars are valuable and vendors are plentiful for just about anything they want to buy. If you want to stand out and be sought out by prospects and repeat customers, you need some special magic. Where better to sprinkle the magic dust than in the one part of your company that interacts the most with potential and current customers?

Assistly has a fair number of well known and respected businesses on-board with their cloud-based customer service system. Can you really afford to blow off the potential for something that can really goose your sales when they’ll let you try it a month for free? If you sell anything to the public and aren’t already thrilled with your customer service results, take a closer look at what Assistly has to offer your business.