Ethernet Flex
Shared fibre access on CityFibre's full fibre network, with a committed rate for your business, the same speed for upload and download, and a fix target in your agreement. Where it is available at your address, we show its price with your leased line prices.
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A committed rateWith a minimum speed guaranteed in your agreement.
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The same speed both waysUpload as fast as you download.
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Fix target5 hour fix target, 24/7, with service credits.
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Free installationUnless a survey finds extra construction work, which you can accept or decline.
Full fibre with a committed rate for your business
Ethernet Flex brings fibre to your premises over the CityFibre network. The fibre and network capacity serving your premises are shared with other customers, and your connection has a committed rate: the speed the network commits to, for upload and download.
When the shared capacity allows, your connection runs faster than the committed rate, up to its peak rate. Speeds above the committed rate depend on how busy the network is, so they are not guaranteed. Your agreement guarantees a minimum speed of 85% of the committed rate, which allows for testing and network overheads.
We always show the normally available speed at peak time with the other speeds: it is the network's own figure for the busiest time of day (8pm to 10pm), so you know what to expect when everyone is online.
- Peak rate
- Up to 1Gbps
- Normally available at peak time (8pm to 10pm)
- 200Mbps
- Committed rate
- 200Mbps
- Minimum guaranteed speed
- 170Mbps
The same for upload and download, measured at the network equipment at your premises.
- 36 month term
- 5 hour fix target, 24/7, with service credits
- Free installation, subject to survey
Site survey. The network decides whether your site needs a survey. If extra construction work is needed, we tell you the exact cost before any work is done. You choose: accept it and go ahead, or decline it and we cancel your order with nothing to pay.
Between business broadband and a leased line
Ethernet Flex suits businesses that want more than business broadband, with a committed rate, matching upload speed and a fast fix target, but do not need a circuit reserved for them alone.
| Feature | Business broadband | Ethernet Flex | Leased line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access | Shared with other users | Shared fibre access, with a committed rate for your connection | Dedicated to your business |
| Upload and download | Usually more download than upload | The same in both directions | The same in both directions |
| Speed | Estimated, can vary at busy times | A minimum guaranteed speed; above the committed rate depends on how busy the network is | Consistent, as contracted |
| Fault fixing | Standard repair target, set out in your Contract Summary | 5 hour fix target, 24/7, with service credits | Fix targets, 24/7, with service credits |
| Installation | Any installation charge shown before you order | Free, unless a survey finds extra construction work, which you can accept or decline | Site survey and build; possible extra construction charges, which you can accept or decline |
| Contract length | From 12 months | 36 months only | 12, 36 or 60 months |
| Where | Depends on your address | Only where the CityFibre network reaches your premises | Depends on your site and its survey |
| How to buy | Check your address and order online | See prices for your address online where available and order online, or ask for a quote | See prices for your site online, or ask for a quote |
Business broadband Leased lines Which is right for your business?
What to weigh up against a leased line
- It is shared, so speeds above the committed rate are not guaranteed. A leased line gives you its full speed all the time.
- It is only available on a 36 month term, with no shorter option.
- It is only available where the CityFibre network reaches your premises.
- It is for businesses only, and only where the network can provide it at your address.
Free installation and a fix target
Installation is free. The network decides whether your site needs a survey. If extra construction work is needed, we tell you the exact cost before any work is done. You choose: accept it and go ahead, or decline it and we cancel your order with nothing to pay.
5 hour fix target, 24/7, with service credits for a complete outage, including a fibre break. A fix target is a commitment to restore your connection within that time or pay a credit, not a promise that faults will never happen.
From your address to a live connection
See Ethernet Flex at your address
Check your address to see Ethernet Flex with your leased line prices, where it is available. Or tell us about your premises and our Sunderland team will check what is available and send you a proposal. If Ethernet Flex is not the best fit, we will tell you what is.
Good to know
Anything else? Call us on 0191 543 3564.
Is Ethernet Flex a leased line?
No. A leased line is a circuit for your business alone. Ethernet Flex is shared fibre access: the fibre and network capacity serving your premises are shared with other customers, and your connection has a committed rate. Speeds above the committed rate depend on how busy the network is and are not guaranteed.
What is the committed rate?
It is the speed the network commits to for your connection, for upload and download. Your agreement guarantees a minimum speed a little below it, to allow for testing and network overheads. If the speed measured at the network equipment stays below that minimum and we cannot put it right in the time set out in your agreement, you can end the service without an early termination charge.
What speeds are shown?
For each Ethernet Flex service we show four speeds together: the peak rate (the most it can reach), the normally available speed at peak time, which is the network's own figure for the busiest time of day (8pm to 10pm), the committed rate and the minimum guaranteed speed. Your proposal and Contract Summary give the same figures before you sign.
Can I order Ethernet Flex online?
Yes, where it is available at your address. Check your address on our leased lines page: where the network can provide Ethernet Flex there, we show its price beside your leased line prices, and you can order it, read your Contract Summary, sign your agreement and set up a Direct Debit online. If it is not shown, ask for a quote and we will check your premises and send you a written proposal.
Can a small business take Ethernet Flex?
Yes. Ethernet Flex is for businesses only and is only available on a 36 month term. Because there is no shorter option, a business with 10 or fewer people, or a charity or not for profit organisation, ticks a separate box to agree to the longer term before signing.
Is installation free?
Yes. The network decides whether a survey of your site is needed. If the survey finds that extra construction work is needed to reach your premises, we tell you the exact cost before any work is done, and you choose whether to go ahead. If you decline, we cancel your order with nothing to pay.
Can we get Ethernet Flex anywhere?
Ethernet Flex runs on the CityFibre network, so it is only available where that network can reach your premises. Ask for a quote and we will check your address. If it is not available, we will tell you what is, such as business broadband or a leased line.