When a business outgrows its connection, the choice usually comes down to two options: business full fibre broadband or a leased line. Both use fibre optic cable, both can be fast, and both are sold to businesses, so the difference is not always obvious. This guide explains how they differ and which questions will point you to the right one.
What is business broadband?
Business broadband is an internet connection delivered over a shared network. With business full fibre, fibre runs all the way to your premises, but the network capacity behind it is shared between many customers in the area. This is called contention.
Most of the time, contention is not noticeable. Networks are built so that there is enough capacity for normal use. But at busy times, speeds can dip, and the speed you get is described as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Business broadband is also usually asymmetric, which means the download speed is higher than the upload speed.
What makes it business broadband rather than home broadband is typically the support and service around it: business focused support, options such as a static IP address, and terms written for businesses.
What is a leased line?
A leased line is a dedicated fibre connection between your premises and the provider's network. The capacity is reserved for your business alone. Nobody else shares it, so the speed you pay for is available all day, every day.
Leased lines have three defining features:
- Uncontended. The bandwidth is yours and is not shared with neighbours.
- Symmetric. Upload and download speeds are the same.
- Service levels. Leased lines normally come with a service level agreement that sets out target fix times if something goes wrong, which are usually faster than for broadband.
You may also see leased lines described as ethernet, EFM, dedicated internet access or DIA. The details vary, but the idea is the same: a private, dedicated connection.
Leased line vs business broadband at a glance
| Business full fibre | Leased line | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Shared with other users | Dedicated to your business |
| Upload and download | Usually more download than upload | The same in both directions |
| Speed | Estimated, can vary at busy times | Consistent, as contracted |
| Fault fixing | Standard business support | Service level agreement with target fix times |
| Installation | Usually quicker, where available at the address | Survey led, often takes longer |
| Contract length | Shown with each package | Usually 36 months or more |
| Cost | Lower | Higher, quoted for your site |
When business broadband is the right choice
For many small and medium sized businesses, business full fibre does everything they need. It is likely to suit you if:
- You have a modest number of people online at the same time.
- Your main uses are email, web browsing, cloud apps, card payments and video calls.
- A short slowdown at a busy time would be an inconvenience rather than a serious problem.
- You want a faster set up and a lower monthly cost.
- You can add resilience with a backup connection if needed.
Our guide on how much broadband speed a business needs can help you work out the right package.
When a leased line is worth it
A leased line becomes the better option when your connection is critical to the way you work. It is worth considering if:
- You have a larger team all working online at once.
- You rely heavily on the cloud, for example hosted desktops, cloud accounting or line of business software.
- You send large files, such as design work, video, drawings or medical imaging, and need upload speed as much as download.
- You run many phone calls or video calls at the same time and need them to stay clear.
- You host services that people outside the business connect to.
- You connect several sites and need a dependable link between them.
- Downtime costs you money, and you need faster, committed fix times.
Things to know before you order a leased line
Every site is surveyed
A leased line is built for your premises, so we survey the site and quote for it. The route the fibre needs to take, and whether new ducts or cabling are needed, affects both the cost and the timescale.
Installation takes longer
Because of the survey, planning and any construction work, a leased line generally takes longer to install than broadband. If you are moving office or know you will need one, start the conversation early. Our moving office broadband checklist covers timing in more detail.
Contracts are longer
Leased line contracts usually run for 36 months or more. That reflects the cost of building the connection. Read the terms carefully, including what happens at the end of the minimum term.
Permissions may be needed
If you rent your premises or share a building, the landlord may need to agree to the work. Finding out who to ask early can save time.
Can I have both?
Yes. Some businesses use a leased line as their main connection and business broadband as a backup, or the other way round. Using two different types of connection adds resilience, because a fault on one is less likely to affect the other. Our guide to business broadband backup and failover explains how this works.
Questions to ask yourself
- How many people and devices are online at the same time on a busy day?
- How much do we upload, and how often?
- What would an hour without a connection cost us?
- Do we need a guaranteed speed, or is a good typical speed enough?
- Are we planning to grow, move or add sites in the next few years?
If your answers point to heavy use, high upload needs and a low tolerance for downtime, a leased line is likely to be the better fit. If not, business full fibre is usually the sensible and more affordable choice.
Get honest advice
You can check your address to see the business full fibre packages available at your premises right away. If you think a leased line might be right, request a leased line quote and we will survey your site and come back with options. Not sure either way? Tell us how you use your connection and our team in Sunderland will give you honest advice, even if business full fibre turns out to be the better fit. You can also read more about leased lines and business broadband.