Question : How does DSL compare to a T1 line for speed?

We have a T1 line right now and its been great. Never any problems really since we got it about a year ago. We have probably around 10 users that are on it pretty much all the time plus an Exchange Server for 40 users. Now the controller finds out that AT&T DSL broadband is available in the area at a substantial savings. I am amazed because when we had the T1 put in, we were not eligible for DSL because we are "out in the country", very rural setting. The plan that we would take is advertized at 1.5 -6.0 Mbps down and 384 -512 kbps up. I understand that the T1 is somewhere around 1.5 Mbps, but I haven t seen any apples for apples comparisons of the two or for that matter, any up_down ratings for the T1. If we get the DSL how will that compare with the T1 that we have now?

Answer : How does DSL compare to a T1 line for speed?

Find out EXACTLY how far you are from the CO - if it's more than 12000 feet, you probably won't get anything faster than T1 speeds (1.5Mb).  If you are closer, then you can possibly get speeds up to 6Mbit or faster (depending on exactly what they are offering).

T1's are essentially full duplex - meaning you can upload 1.5Mb AND download 1.5Mb at the same time.  DSL is essentially half duplex and ADSL offers different upload and download speeds.  T1s are usually FAR more reliable than DSL - companies can offer SLAs (Service Level Agreements for a T1 where they can almost promise you a working line within 4 hours if theres a problem.  DSL can make no such promises - especially ADSL.

If you folks RARELY send files via e-mail and don't otherwise upload much, then you might consider it - you might consider it anyway to augment your speed and/or provide redundancy.  But frankly, if you're using a T1 already, I'd probably keep it.