As we roll out a new network, on one of our links it is remarkably cheaper to run a T1 ptp vs. MPLS (running 66% data, 33% voice). Based on comments received from this list (much thanks, you know who you are) MPLS satisfaction seems to be determined by backbone noc competence, not the technology itself. So back to price....if I consider layer1 issues to be equal in either scenario, and aggregation/meshing/hardware is not a real concern, it seems to me that a correctly configured, directly connected pipe would work as well as mpls, with the benefit of local control of my routers and owning any incompetence.
If anyone has enlightening experiences of ptp vs. mpls, I'd appreciate hearing about them. Thanks, Andrew