In many large enterprises the lead times to get a service installed at the desktop level can be several weeks. A WAN T1 takes about 6 to 8 weeks, sometimes longer. A T3 is sold on the basis of perhaps 90 days, but ports are so scarce in the central offices these days, that you could wait up to six months or longer. Go five degrees off course between two major cities, and you can add another two or three months. You want an OC-12? Try a half year, for starters, if you are lucky. Then expect to wait much longer.
In these instances it's helpful if the buying firm has a CEO who also sits on boards of the Carriers involved. The bandwidth? The bandwidth between the ports is getting cheaper all the time. If it's so cheap, then why does it take them so long to find and provision it?
That's why I've been known to say on seeral occasision, when the argument of free bandwidth is being shoved in my direction (and this is not directed at you, Eric):
It's the PORTS, stupid, NOT the BANDWIDTH!! |
