What is FTTP?
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) is a broadband service that delivers fibre directly into your office or building. It offers much higher speeds than traditional copper broadband, with some packages reaching gigabit download speeds.
However, FTTP is a shared service. That means your bandwidth is contended with other users in the area, so you may experience slowdowns during peak times. Upload speeds are also often much lower than downloads, which can cause problems if your business sends large files or uses cloud-based platforms.
What is a 1Gb Leased Line?
A 1Gb leased line is a dedicated fibre connection that delivers symmetrical 1 gigabit per second upload and download speeds. The line is uncontended, meaning you don’t share your bandwidth with anyone else.
This makes leased lines far more reliable. They come with a robust SLA (Service Level Agreement), proactive monitoring, and 99.999% uptime — something FTTP can’t match.
Speed and Reliability: Leased Line vs FTTP
On paper, FTTP and a 1Gb leased line can look similar in speed. But the difference is consistency.
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FTTP: “Up to” speeds, shared with other users. Performance may drop significantly at busy times.
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1Gb Leased Line: Guaranteed speeds, 24/7. Uploads are just as fast as downloads.
If your business relies on video conferencing, VoIP, or cloud storage, that reliability can make all the difference.
Cost: Which is Cheaper?
FTTP is generally cheaper, with monthly prices starting from around £50–£90. A 1Gb leased line, by contrast, costs between £220 and £450 per month.
The key difference is what you’re paying for. FTTP is great for small businesses that need faster broadband but don’t rely heavily on mission-critical connectivity. A 1Gb leased line is an investment in performance, uptime, and future-proof scalability.
Security and Service Levels
Leased lines are private connections, which means they’re inherently more secure than FTTP. For industries handling sensitive data — finance, healthcare, or legal — this can be a crucial factor.
Service levels also differ. With FTTP, if there’s a fault, you’re typically on a best-effort fix, which may take days. With a leased line from Connect2, you’re covered by a business-grade SLA, ensuring rapid fault resolution and round-the-clock support.
Scalability and Growth
FTTP services are limited to the maximum package offered by your provider. If you need more speed, you may have to wait until Openreach or your carrier upgrades the local infrastructure.
With a leased line, especially when provisioned on a 10Gb bearer, scaling up is simple. You can increase your bandwidth as your business grows, without the need for major engineering work.
Which Should You Choose?
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Choose FTTP if you’re a small business, start-up, or home office that needs fast internet at a lower cost but can tolerate some downtime.
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Choose a 1Gb leased line if your business demands guaranteed speeds, enterprise-grade reliability, and the ability to scale as you grow.
For many growing UK businesses, FTTP is a stepping stone, but a 1Gb leased line is the connection that really delivers.
Conclusion
While FTTP is a strong option for smaller organisations, a 1Gb leased line is the clear winner for businesses that need reliability, uptime, and guaranteed performance.
At Connect2, we make it simple and affordable to upgrade. With prices from £220 to £450 per month, backed by our Price Promise Guarantee and 24/7 UK support, you’ll have peace of mind that your internet connection will never hold you back.
Ready to compare? Get your instant 1Gb leased line quote today and see the difference for yourself.
