Definition
T3 line, or DS3 line, is a fast digital connection that transfers large volumes of data. Medical facilities, data centers, ISPs, and other organizations transmit data with T3 lines.
T1 Lines vs. T3 Lines
- T1 lines are slower than T3, but they can handle multiple voice and data connections simultaneously. They’re cheap, widely available, and suitable for small office phone calls and internet speeds.
- T3 lines are faster and perfect for large organizations that deal with large amounts of data, such as data centers and Internet service providers (ISPs). However, they’re expensive and less available than T1 lines.
How T3 Works
T3 lines consist of 672 channels interweaved using time division multiplexing (TDM), each running at 64 Kbps. In the initial stage, T3 runs as four T1, which are multiplexed to form the T2 line. The T3 line is formed by an M13 multiplexing seven T2 lines. Each of these channels runs at 64 Kbps to achieve an overall speed of 42.924 Mbps.
T3 Lines Use Cases
- Large enterprises: Use T3 lines for wide area network (WAN) connections, which facilitate data transfer between remote offices and data centers.
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs): Uses T3 lines to provide high-speed internet access to businesses and data centers.
- High-Performance Computing (HPC): Scientific research centers connect to national and international research networks using T3 lines.
- Financial services: Banks, stock exchanges, and financial institutions rely on T3 lines for prompt and reliable transmission of financial data for trading and analytics.
- Media and broadcasting: Television networks and production companies transmit high-definition video and audio content between studios and broadcasting stations using T3 lines.
- Medical centers: Healthcare institutions, like hospitals, use T3 lines to share real-time patient data and medical records between clinics and remote doctors.