What is T3 or DS3?

DS3 circuits provide businesses and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) with up to 45 Mb/s of dedicated Internet connectivity. This is an great solution for users who need more than  their T1 connections and are in search of unlimited, high-capacity access. A DS3 line actually consists of 672 individual channels, each of which supports 64 Kb/s. DS3 lines are very high bandwidth connections into a telecom carrier's backbone.  This level of carrier can transport 28 DS1 level signals within its service.  This level of carrier can transport 672 DS0 level channels within its payload. DS3 may also referred to as a T3 Line

A DS3 connection is made up of two monthly charges: the local loop and the port charge. The local loop charge is the cost of the circuit provided by the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) that allows DS3 access into the carrier's network. The loop charge is based on the distance from the customer's location to the edge of the carrier's network; the greater the distance the customer is from the network, the more the loop will cost. Nearly every carrier prices loops differently so it is feasible to price DS3 service with several internet providers to ensure that you get the best price.

DS3 = Access to the Internet via a dedicated DS3 line at a speed of 44.736 Mbits.

Fractional to full DS3 or T3 circuits run from speeds of 3 Mbps up to 45 Mbps.

A DS3 line includes  of 28 T1 lines, each operating at total rate of 1.544 Mbps.