Keeping your organisation well connected and running at the best speed is always going to be a top priority. There are many options that claim to be the best solution out there… so how can we decide which one to pick?!

Today we’re going to be breaking down two popular options – a classic broadband internet connection and a leased line. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.

Firstly, let’s look into what leased lines and broadband actually are:

What is a Leased Line? 

Solely for your own use, a leased line is basically a private internet connection that you don’t have to share with other businesses, homes etc. Leased lines are ‘uncontested’ meaning they are a direct connection from your business to your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and are not shared by any other users.

They use a fibre-optic cable, which means the connection doesn’t suffer from electrical interference experienced on older copper lines. They also experience far less outages than traditional broadband, offering over 99.9% uptime, which is perfect for businesses that are super reliant on their internet connection to operate.

What is Broadband? 

Fibre broadband is the most common choice for households needing an internet connection. While this will create a link between your business and the local exchange, the connection is not unique to you, the connection is shared with other users – otherwise known as ‘contested’.

Therefore, just like in the real world, too much traffic on the same route can slow things down. And that means a more sluggish internet connection for everyone scrambling to use it at once.

Which is best for your business?

So, now you’ve got the gist of leased lines and broadband. Let’s help you decide which might be better suited to you and your organisation’s needs:

Speed
Leased lines offer much higher speeds than standard broadband connections. Broadband services have a maximum bandwidth that will not change over the course of a contract and often the best-case speeds will never be met, whereas leased lines on the other hand provide you with the actual speed advertised.

Price
Obviously, this increase in speed comes with a price increase. Leased lines have a higher monthly cost than a broadband connection.

Uncontested lines 
Standard broadband is always ‘contested’ meaning that you are sharing your line with other users with the same provider. This means that the internet connection can become slower or less reliable at busier times of the day. Leased lines are ‘uncontested’ meaning a direct and faster connection.

Installation time
Broadband can often be installed relatively quickly (within 2 weeks), whereas leased lines can take anywhere up to 60 days. So, a leased line needs a little more forward planning if that’s the direction you’re looking in.

Faults
Unlike commercial broadband, leased lines are monitored 24/7 for faults. This means that often, any connection problems have already been detected and fixed by your ISP before you would notice them.

Unlimited
Many broadband packages are sold as ‘unlimited broadband’ and are subject to a ‘fair use’ clause that allows your ISP (AKA your internet provider) to reduce the speed during busy times or after you have downloaded a certain amount during a month. All leased lines are true unlimited broadband with no upload or download limits.

So, in summary, which one is right for my business?
The choice between the two options will come down to what you value most in your business. If you are focused on speed and reliability, then leased lines will be the obvious choice. If you are more focused on keeping costs low, then a standard business broadband connection will be more suitable.

However, when prioritising costs, it’s important to factor in speed and reliability as well. If you regularly have periods of downtime with your current broadband, it is worth considering what the cost to your business is of that downtime (i.e. lost income).

If you find that your productivity is being reduced by slow speeds, affecting your profits negatively, it’s important to weigh up whether the cheaper deals are worth it in the long run!

Get in touch
Lots to consider! If you need further advice, we’re always here to help. Just drop us a line on 01237 420010 and we’ll happily chat things through.