A leased line is (usually) a symmetric telecommunications line. It connects two locations together. Unlike traditional phone system telephone networks (PSTN) lines, they do not have a telephone number. Each side of the line is permanently connected to the other. They are used for telephone, data, or internet services.
In the UK, usually, leased lines are available at speeds of 64k, 128k, 256k, 512k, and 2Mb. They are provided to the customer on X.21 presentation. Higher speeds are available, on alternative interfaces.
In the US, usually, leased lines are presented on a T1 bearer circuit, in a number of 56k or 64k timeslots. This has advantages over the UK. Multiple logical connections use a single bearer. Upgrades take place relatively easily. However, the customer manages their own network termination equipment. These are the Data Service Unit (DSU) and Channel Service Unit (CSU). leased line providers
T1.
The most common legacy of this system is the line rate designations. A "T1" now means any data circuit with, the original, 1.544 Mbit/s line rate. Originally, the T1 format carried 24 pulse-code modulated, time-division, multiplexed, speech signals. Each was encoded in 64 kbit/s streams.
This left 8 kbit/s of framing information. It facilitated the synchronization, and demultiplexing, at the receiver. T2, and T3, circuit channels carry multiple T1 channels multiplexed. It results in transmission rates up to 44.736 Mbit/s.
Origin of T1.
It is supposed, the 1.544 Mbit/s rate was chosen because of tests done by AT&T Long Lines. In Chicago, these tests were conducted underground. Cable vault manholes were physically 6600 feet apart. The optimum rate was chosen empirically. The speed was increased until the failure rate was unacceptable, then reduced.
The more common understanding, for the 1.544 Mbit/s rate, is as follows. This explanation glosses over T1 voice communications, and only concerns the numbers involved.
The highest frequency, at which voice communications occurs, is 4000 Hz. When converting analog voice, to digital data, at least double that frequency is needed, for the sample rate. This yields the number 8000.
Each T1 frame contains 1 byte, of voice data, for each of the 24 channels. Therefore, the system needs 8000 frames per second, for 24 simultaneous voice channels. Each frame, of a T1, is 193 bits in length (24 channels X 8 bits per channel + 1 control bit = 193 bits). 8000 frames per second, multiplied by 193 bits, yields a transfer rate of 1.544 Mbit/s (8000 X 193 = 1544000). leased line providers
DS1.
Frequently, DS1 signals are used to connect equipment, within a facility. In this case, a low-level signal (6 volts peak-to-peak differential), called the DSX1, is used. DSX refers to a digital signal crossconnect. Essentially, it is a patch panel allowing easy interconnection.
When a DS1 leaves the building, it becomes a T1. It is referred to as a span. The signal is boosted to a higher level. Then, it is superimposed, on a DC voltage. This enables repeaters, in the field, to be powered from the span itself. Repeaters are placed every few thousand feet, to clean up and strengthen the signal.
DS3.
DS3 signals are, almost exclusively, used within buildings. It is used for interconnections and as an intermediate step before being muxed onto a SONET circuit. A T3 circuit only goes about 600 feet, between repeaters.
When ordering a DS3, a customer usually gets a (much faster) SONET circuit. It is run into the building and has a multiplexer mounted, in a big cabinet. The DS3 is delivered as two coax cables, with BNC connectors on the ends.
T-carrier system.
Traditionally, the T-carrier system uses in-band signalling, or bit robbing. It results in lower transmission rates, than the E-carrier system.
The result is many US ISDN installations only have an effective data rate of 56 kbit/s, over a nominal 64 kbit/s channel. This depends on the framing format used. Almost all systems are now capable of transmitting a "clear" 64 kbit/s channel, despite the failure of providers to sell such services. leased line providers