I understand cable is shared and what not and doesn't always provide the typical 10mbps, but I have seen it consistantly over 5mbps.

A T1 is 1.544Mbps... the bandwidth raiting is smaller

Is it because T1 is dedicated? or Is it because its more reliable than analog?
I hope someone with extensive knowledge can help clear this up

If T1 data rate is 1.5 Mb, why isn't a cable service "equal or better" which offers 6MB down/768 Kb up? What are the fundamental differences between T1 and Cable?

Basically T1's are business connections. Cable/DSL services are usually residential.

T1's normally have:

* unlimited throughput

* a guaranteed uptime per month

* no port blocking, allowing servers

* upload 2-5x as high as cable/DSL

* faster repair times, as in the company will most likely take priority repairing them

* a dedicated line



Read here more about it

http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Questions-on-T1-Bandwidth---With-Practical-Answers&id=501564

http://ezinearticles.com/?Common-Questions-on-T1-Bandwidth---With-Practical-Answers&id=501564

T1 is dedicated, symmetrical, and point-to-point. That makes it secure and predictable. - which is important if you are using it for business. Cable is rated faster, but it is unpredictable(bandwidth is not guraranteed), assymetrical (faster in one direction), and Internet-only (other data shares the media). T1 is also an older technology - and older techologies are often more expensive than later alternatives.

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BACON!!!!