Integrated T1/DS1 - A T1/DS1 that carries both Voice and Data on one circuit through assigned channels dedicated to one or the other. With 24 available channels many providers have dynamic allocation that allows all your voice channels to turn back into Data channels when they are not being used.  Other providers leave the channels static and will not allow you full capacity of your T1 at all.

(Integrated Services Digital Network / Primary Rate ISDN) - ISDN was one of the first technologies to allow integration of voice and data on the same line.  ISDN provides a better voice quality than analog due to offering circuit and packet switch connections.  ISDN was also an early form of broadband by providing 128kbs (12x's slower than standard DSL or T1/DS1 speed).  PRI takes the technology to a DS1 with 24 channels being utilized (1D, 23B Channels) The "D" channel controls where the call will route to in your office. PRI is used in almost every office over 20 people because it offers many features with a lower cost such as Hunting Groups, DID's, Call Tracking, Call Reporting, CTI, Out of Rate Center DID's, Pulsed Digits, Call routing, and less taxes.

A very basic service that has become more than confusing.  This can relate to in-state or out of state calls and what is and is not considered Long Distance varies by carrier, region, service provided, and plan purchased.

Utilizes the same technology your Ethernet cables give you in your home or business. Carriers transport between internet connection points via Ethernet and have now started using this service as an access method for customers.  Due to the fact that almost every business has a LAN (Local Area Network) comprised of Ethernet cables installation and integration is very easy if the service is available in your area.  This is a growing product capable of offering the highest bandwidth speeds available at a much lower cost so build out is rapidly occurring for most providers.

(Multiprotocol Label Switching) - A newer technology that has quickly become one of the most unique and efficient methods of transport available.  MPLS replaces the old hub and spoke architecture of Frame Relay by providing access directly to the carriers ring.  This provides the customer a cheaper cost to access the carrier network.  In addition to the lower cost MPLS also provides extremely scalable bandwidth and it can carry any class of service flawlessly.  With most internet products it can become difficult to manage voice, data, and video from the internet or between locations such as video conferencing.  With MPLS the carrier will prioritize the traffic based on what matters most and is able to completely manage all packets to ensure no quality is lost.  MPLS is the "premiere" class of VoIP and can be utilized from small to medium business via a layering on top of a DSL or T1 connections to global solutions connecting the major media stations we watch every day.

(Plain Old Telephone Lines / Digital Service 0) - A regular copper line providing you with a single phone line.  Since 1876 this has been the forefront of the telecom industry and remains to be one of the most cost effective and reliable services across the country.

T1/DS1 (Digital Service 1) - A carrier signaling scheme created by Bell Labs that combines Twenty Four 8 bit channels or 24 DS0's into one pipe for Voice and Data usage.  You will receive 1.544 Mbs upload and download bandwidth that run concurrent.   Most DSL or Cable packages only provide a high download speed and a much lower upload speed.  This is the most common service contracted by small to medium size businesses across the U.S.

(Voice over Internet Protocol) - A newer service offering that has quickly become the "buzz word" of telecom.  VoIP basically takes all of your voice calls and compresses them into data packets allowing them to be transmitted across the PSTN (public internet) or private carrier rings.  Due to regulations being behind on classifying this service it's often cheaper than regular voice service because it's regulated as Data.  With all of the great conveniences associated with VoIP beware there are some serious drawbacks if you choose the wrong carrier or service provider.  You could potentially end up sounding like you are talking to your clients from underwater and lose more money than the monthly savings you thought you were getting.