OC 12 Internet stands for “optical carrier 12,” and refers to data transmission rates. In the case of OC 12 Internet, transmission speeds can go as high as 622Mbps. OC 12 Internet is used on wide area networks, found in web hosting companies or small businesses.
OC is used to discuss fiber optic network speeds; OC 12 Internet is made up of 4 OC 3 Internet technologies and allows businesses to use multiple IP addresses and add bandwidth without a complete transformation of their current networks.
To determine the true optical carrier transmission rate, one must take the base rate and multiply it by 51.84Mbps.
Taking this into account, OC 12 means that the optical carrier transmission rate of bandwidth and digital signals is 51.84 x 12 = 622.08Mbps.
To find the transmission rates of any “OC + number” provided, multiply the number given by the base of 51.84Mbps. OC 12 Internet can provide speeds up to 655Mbps.
The following constitute activities that can be done on OC 12 Internet:
- Large file transfer
- Web hosting
- E-Commerce
- Web Conferences
- Video Streaming
- Run Advanced Applications, etc.
OC12 Internet in the News
OC12 internet has been adopted by telecom companies such as MCI Telecommunications and Pacific Bell. Both companies switched to OC12 internet in 1997 in order to cut down traffic congestion on the World Wide Web. For Pacific Bell, based in California, the OC12 internet conversion will increase traffic capacity by 400 percent. As for MCI Telecommunications, the company used OC3 internet connections until it switched to OC12, which increased services such as internet access, voice, and multimedia. OC12 internet involves using four fiber optic cables on one line.
OC12 Internet Pricing and Services
OC12 internet services are reaching into the higher capacity lines used by the likes of high content providers, ISPs and very large organisations.
Although OC12 lines will provide you with a large bandwidth of up to 622.08 Mbps, the extreme high speed and throughout also carries a large price.
Pricing for your OC12 service can be controlled by careful selection from the products available.
Burst And Capped Services
Your business may not yet require the full bandwidth of OC12 so you may be able to control the pricing better by selecting a capped or burstable service.
Capped, or tiered, OC12 services are designed for businesses who know what their usage will be, or who would prefer to know the monthly price they are committing to for their service.
Burstable OC12 services offer varying capacities which could start from around 50Mbps, but providing the full 622 Mbps capacity in bursts as and when required with end pricing being based on the amount of traffic being sent and received. A higher level of bandwidth commitment will usually give you the best price per megabyte.
Both options allow you to control the price you pay for OC12 services depending on your requirements.
Your geographical location and availability of providers may have a large impact on the service level and prices available to you. Obtaining direct access to a Tier 1 provider will provide you with the best OC12 service, and the best reliability for your network, but this high level of service will ultimately be reflected in the price you pay.
