When choosing an internet connection for your business, the decision often comes down to leased line vs FTTP (Fibre to the Premises). Both options have their place, but what’s best for you depends on your specific needs.
What a Leased Line Actually Means
A leased line is a dedicated, fixed-bandwidth data connection. It provides symmetric upload and download speeds, which means you get the same speed in both directions. Unlike broadband, a leased line is not shared with other users. You pay a premium for the exclusive use of the line, which can offer speeds from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps. It’s ideal for businesses that require guaranteed performance and reliability.
What FTTP Actually Means
FTTP stands for Fibre to the Premises. It’s a type of broadband connection where fibre optic cables run directly to your building. FTTP offers high-speed internet access, with download speeds typically ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Unlike a leased line, FTTP is a shared service, meaning bandwidth can be affected by peak time usage.
Commercial Impact: Why Your Business Needs to Choose Carefully
For SMEs, choosing the right internet connection isn’t just about speed; it’s about reliability, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. A leased line offers guaranteed performance, making it crucial for businesses that rely on uninterrupted connectivity for VoIP, cloud services, or large data transfers. FTTP, while generally cheaper, can suffer from contention, where your connection slows down at busy times. This can impact productivity if your business operates in a high-density area.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough: Choosing the Right Option
-
Assess Bandwidth Needs: Determine your current and future bandwidth requirements. A leased line might be necessary if your business needs consistent high-speed uploads and downloads.
-
Consider Contention: If your business cannot afford slowdowns during peak hours, a leased line is a safer bet due to its uncontended nature.
-
Evaluate Critical Applications: Identify critical applications that require high availability. Leased lines often come with better SLAs, including faster fault resolution.
-
Calculate Costs: Consider both initial installation costs and ongoing monthly charges. Leased lines tend to be more expensive but offer more predictability in performance.
-
Check Installation Lead Times: Leased lines typically have longer installation times. Plan accordingly if your business needs connectivity sooner rather than later.
A pattern we see repeatedly is businesses underestimating the impact of contention. Many SMEs switch to leased lines after experiencing peak time slowdowns with FTTP.
Worked Cost Scenario: Weighing the Financial Impact
Imagine a 25-person firm heavily reliant on cloud services. With FTTP, you might face contention issues during peak hours, potentially slowing down operations and affecting productivity. A leased line, while initially more expensive, let’s say £500 a month compared to FTTP’s £60, ensures consistent performance. The cost difference might be justified by the efficiency and reliability it provides, potentially saving on lost productivity.
Common Mistakes When Choosing Connectivity
- Ignoring Future Growth: Businesses often choose based on current needs, not considering future growth or scalability.
- Overlooking SLAs: Not all FTTP providers offer robust SLAs. Ensure you know what’s guaranteed.
- Neglecting Backup Options: Even with a leased line, consider a backup connection for added resilience.
FAQs: Leased Line vs FTTP
What are the installation times for leased lines vs FTTP? Leased lines can take several weeks to install due to the need for dedicated infrastructure. FTTP is usually quicker, depending on local availability.
How do leased lines handle downtime? Leased lines often come with SLAs that include faster fix times, typically within hours, which is crucial for business continuity.
Is FTTP suitable for high-demand applications? FTTP can be suitable, but consider the risk of contention. For critical applications, a leased line is more reliable.
Can I upgrade my FTTP to a leased line? Yes, most ISPs offer upgrade paths, but this often involves new contracts and potential installation fees.
Are leased lines always better than FTTP? Not always. It depends on your business needs, budget, and the importance of guaranteed speeds.
Practical Checks Before Committing
Before finalising your internet connection choice, conduct a few practical checks. First, verify the actual availability of FTTP at your specific business address. While a postcode check might show availability, sometimes the fibre does not extend fully into every unit within a larger building or business park. Confirming this with a site survey from potential providers can prevent delays.
Next, inquire about the provider's network infrastructure. For FTTP, ask how they manage contention on their local network. While FTTP is shared, some providers have more robust infrastructure and better traffic management than others, which can influence your real-world speeds during busy periods. For a leased line, understand the network path and any diversity options available to minimise single points of failure.
Consider your existing internal network hardware. High-speed FTTP or a leased line might require upgrades to your router, firewall, or internal cabling to fully utilise the bandwidth. Failing to address this can mean paying for speed you cannot fully access. Ask potential providers if they include suitable equipment or if you need to source your own.
Finally, clarify the full installation process. For leased lines, this often involves external engineering work and internal cabling. Understand the responsibilities for trenching, ducting, and internal wiring. For FTTP, confirm if the fibre terminates at your building's entry point or directly into your server room, and what internal work is included. Knowing these details upfront helps manage expectations and avoid unforeseen costs or delays.
How Black Sheep Support Helps
If your business relies on consistent internet performance
and we'll help you assess the best connectivity option for your specific needs. Not ready to talk yet? Run our free IT Health Check to assess your business risk and security posture: 30 to 60 minutes with one of our engineers, or 15 to 20 minutes on your own, no commitment. We also handle broadband, mobile, and networking, not just security.
Want this handled for you? See Hardware, broadband and networking.
Based in Brighton or Hove? We are too: see IT support in Brighton.
