The ultimate guide to Dedicated Internet Access
Introduction
With the number of increasingly data-hungry apps today’s workforce needs, sometimes standard business broadband simply isn’t enough.
When it comes to speed, bandwidth and reliability, a leased line can often be the better option, giving you a dedicated connection with guaranteed speeds at all times and many other benefits too.
But what exactly is a leased line? How is it different from other types of business connectivity? And how do you go about choosing the right leased line solution and supplier?
This in-depth guide to leased lines will give you the answers to all these questions and more.
We’ll cover:
- What leased lines are, how they work and the benefits they can bring to your organisation
- The essential things to look out for when choosing a leased line solution and provider and how to make the right choice for your business
- How leased lines compare to other types of connectivity like business broadband, looking at the pros and cons of each and much more
What are leased lines?
Leased lines are dedicated, fixed-bandwidth data connections that provide a consistent and reliable internet service. Unlike traditional broadband, a leased line is a private connection that is exclusively used by the customer, ensuring stable and high-speed connectivity.
Private, fixed-bandwidth
data connection
Leased lines offer a fixed amount of bandwidth that is reserved exclusively for the user's traffic, preventing any fluctuation in speed due to network congestion. This ensures that businesses always have the bandwidth they need for their operations.
Consistent and reliable
internet service
Since the connection is dedicated, there are no peak-time slowdowns, ensuring constant performance. This reliability is critical for businesses that rely on internet connectivity for their daily operations.
Exclusively used by
the customer
The line is not shared with other users, providing enhanced security and performance. This exclusive use means that businesses do not have to worry about other users affecting their internet speeds.
How do leased lines work?
Leased lines work by providing a direct, uncontested connection between two points, typically the customer's premises and the service provider's network. This dedicated connection ensures constant speed, low latency and high reliability.
Direct
connection
A leased line establishes a dedicated link between the customer's location and the service provider's network, bypassing the public internet. This direct connection reduces the number of potential points of failure.
Uncontested
bandwidth
The bandwidth on a leased line is not shared with other users, guaranteeing the advertised speeds at all times. This means businesses can rely on consistent performance, even during peak usage times.
Low
latency
The direct connection reduces the number of hops data must take, minimising delays and improving performance for real-time applications such as VoIP and video conferencing.
High
reliability
With fewer points of potential failure and dedicated infrastructure, leased lines offer higher uptime compared to shared broadband services. This reliability is often backed by service level agreements (SLAs).
What are the benefits of leased lines for businesses?
Leased lines offer numerous benefits that can significantly enhance a business's operations and productivity.
Guaranteed performance
With dedicated bandwidth and SLAs, businesses can rely on consistent and high-speed internet access.
Increased productivity
Reliable and fast internet connection ensures that employees can work efficiently without interruptions.
Enhanced security
The private nature of leased lines reduces the risk of data breaches and ensures secure communication.
Support for critical applications
Leased lines provide the necessary performance for real-time applications such as VoIP, video conferencing and cloud services.
Future-proofing
The scalability of leased lines allows businesses to easily upgrade their bandwidth as their needs grow.
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What problems do
leased lines solve for businesses?
Leased lines address several common issues that businesses face with standard broadband, including inconsistent speeds, network congestion and security concerns.
Inconsistent
speeds
Unlike shared broadband, leased lines offer guaranteed speeds, eliminating performance fluctuations. This ensures that businesses can rely on their internet connection for critical tasks.
Network
congestion
Leased lines provide uncontested bandwidth, preventing slowdowns during peak usage times. This is particularly important for businesses that operate around the clock or during peak business hours.
Security
concerns
The dedicated connection reduces the risk of data breaches and unauthorised access. Leased lines provide a more secure environment for transmitting sensitive information.
Latency
issues
The direct connection and low latency of leased lines are crucial for real-time applications and services, ensuring smooth and efficient operation.
What are the different types of leased line connections?
There are several types of leased line connections, each suited to different business needs and geographical locations.
Fibre leased lines
High-speed connections using fibre-optic cables, ideal for urban areas with high data demands. Fibre offers the fastest speeds and highest reliability.
Copper leased lines
Traditional copper telephone lines offering lower speeds but still reliable connectivity, suitable for areas where fibre is not available. Copper lines are often more affordable but have limited bandwidth compared to fibre.
Wireless leased lines
Radio or microwave signals provide connectivity, useful in remote or hard-to-reach locations. Wireless leased lines can be quickly deployed but may be affected by weather conditions.
Ethernet over fibre
Combines the benefits of Ethernet technology with fibre-optic speeds, offering high performance and reliability. This option is ideal for businesses needing robust and scalable connectivity solutions.
How are leased lines different from
business broadband?
Leased lines and business broadband differ in terms of bandwidth, reliability and service guarantees, making leased lines a superior option for many businesses.
Bandwidth
Leased lines offer dedicated bandwidth, while business broadband typically involves shared bandwidth, which can lead to variable speeds. This dedicated bandwidth ensures consistent performance for business applications.
Reliability
Leased lines provide higher reliability with guaranteed uptime and service level agreements (SLAs). This means businesses can depend on their internet connection to be available when they need it.
Service guarantees
Leased lines come with SLAs that ensure specific performance levels, whereas business broadband does not. These SLAs provide businesses with peace of mind that their internet service will meet certain standards.
Cost
Leased lines are generally more expensive than business broadband due to their dedicated nature and superior service. However, the higher cost can be justified by the increased performance and reliability.
What are the pros and cons of
leased lines vs. business broadband?
Leased lines
Pros
- Guaranteed speeds: consistent and reliable performance due to dedicated bandwidth
- High reliability: fewer disruptions and higher uptime, often backed by
- SLAs Low latency: better performance for real-time applications like VoIP and video conferencing
- Enhanced security: reduced risk of data breaches and unauthorised access due to the dedicated connection
Cons
- Higher cost: more expensive than business broadband, which may not be suitable for all budgets
- Longer installation time: setting up a leased line can take longer, as it often involves laying new infrastructure
Business broadband
Pros
- Lower cost: more affordable for small businesses or those with less critical connectivity needs
- Faster installation: quick setup compared to leased lines, often using existing infrastructure
Cons
- Variable speeds: performance can fluctuate due to shared bandwidth, affecting consistency
- Lower reliability: more prone to outages and disruptions, with no guaranteed uptime
- Higher latency: not ideal for real-time applications, which can suffer from delays
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Choosing the right leased line solution and provider
Now let’s look at some important factors to bear in mind when selecting a leased line solution and provider, so you can make an informed decision that reflects the needs of your organisation.
How do you choose the right leased line solution?
Assess bandwidth needs
Determine the amount of bandwidth required based on current and future needs. Consider the number of users, types of applications and data usage patterns.
Evaluate reliability requirements
Consider the importance of uptime and reliability for the business's operations. Look for providers with strong SLAs and high reliability records.
Consider scalability
Choose a solution that can easily scale as the business grows, allowing for bandwidth upgrades without significant disruption.
Compare costs
Evaluate the costs of different leased line options, including installation, monthly fees and potential upgrade expenses. Weigh these costs against the benefits and performance improvements.
Review provider support
Ensure the provider offers robust technical support and quick response times to address any issues that arise.
What should you look for in a leased line provider?
Strong SLAs
Look for providers that offer comprehensive service level agreements with guaranteed uptime, speeds, and response times.
Excellent customer support
Ensure the provider offers 24/7 support and has a reputation for quick and effective issue resolution.
High reliability
Choose a provider with a proven track record of high reliability and minimal downtime.
Competitive pricing
Compare pricing options from different providers to find a solution that offers good value for money.
Scalability options
Select a provider that offers scalable solutions to accommodate future growth and increased bandwidth needs.
Why choose Virgin Media O2 Business?
Our expert team can help you make the right choice for your organisation
Combining expert advice with commercial flexibility, we use connectivity to solve our customers’ biggest challenges and help them meet and exceed their goals, with the budget they’ve got, in a sustainable way.
Our leased line solution, Dedicated Internet Access (DIA), is a high-speed internet service designed for businesses of all sizes. You'll have a dedicated and unlimited internet connection that isn’t shared with anyone else, so you get all performance you pay for.
As a 100% fibre connection, you also benefit from the latest and most advanced technology for internet access. Instead of traditional copper-based or hybrid connections, you can expect very low latency and a whole range of speeds depending on your needs. Want to know more? Talk to our team today.
Want to know more? Talk to our team today.
Want to talk leased lines with our expert team?
Small & medium business
(11 - 249 employees)
Call 0800 298 8848
