Why flexibility is the secret to long-term connectivity
Every business evolves — more staff, more cloud apps, more data.
But while your operations grow fast, your internet connection can quickly fall behind.
That’s where a leased line gives you a major advantage.
Unlike broadband or FTTP, a leased line isn’t a fixed, one-size-fits-all service.
It’s a dedicated fibre circuit that can scale in bandwidth as your business needs change — without costly rebuilds or downtime.
In this guide, we’ll explain how leased line bandwidth works, how upgrades are delivered, and why scalability makes it the smartest long-term connectivity investment you can make.
What Is Leased Line Bandwidth?
Leased line bandwidth refers to the amount of capacity reserved exclusively for your business.
Whether you choose 100Mb, 1Gb, or 10Gb, that bandwidth is dedicated — meaning you’re guaranteed to receive it at all times, with symmetrical upload and download speeds.
Unlike broadband, where bandwidth is shared and performance fluctuates, a leased line is uncontended.
Your full capacity is always available — whether five or five hundred people are online.
How Bandwidth Scaling Works
When you order a leased line, your connection is built on a bearer — the maximum capacity of the fibre circuit.
For example:
-
A 100Mb leased line on a 1Gb bearer means you can instantly upgrade to 200Mb, 300Mb, or even 1Gb later without installing new fibre.
-
A 1Gb leased line on a 10Gb bearer can scale all the way to 10Gb with only a configuration change.
This is known as bandwidth re-grade or mid-term upgrade, and it allows you to scale your connection in line with your growth — quickly, remotely, and without downtime.
Why Scalability Matters
Business growth doesn’t always happen predictably.
New sites open, staff work remotely, or cloud migration increases bandwidth demand overnight.
With a scalable leased line, you can adapt instantly — no new construction, no long surveys, no new contracts.
That flexibility keeps you agile and ensures your connection never becomes a bottleneck.
Examples of When to Scale Up
-
Cloud migration: Moving data or applications to Microsoft 365, Google Cloud, or AWS.
-
Hybrid working: Multiple VPN sessions and video calls increase upstream usage.
-
Large file transfers: Media, architecture, and design teams need higher throughput.
-
VoIP and collaboration tools: Teams and Zoom rely on low-latency performance.
-
New premises or departments: Multi-site expansion creates heavier network loads.
With a leased line, you can increase capacity pre-emptively — keeping performance rock-solid as demand rises.
How Upgrades Are Delivered
Most bandwidth upgrades are handled remotely.
Your provider reconfigures the network equipment at each end of the circuit — typically a 30-minute task, scheduled during off-peak hours.
There’s no new digging, and no interruption to your connection.
For larger jumps (such as 1Gb → 10Gb), your router or switch may be replaced with a higher-spec model, but the physical fibre stays exactly the same.
How to Plan the Right Bearer
When ordering your leased line, it’s important to choose the right bearer capacity from day one.
A 1Gb bearer is ideal for most growing businesses, while high-traffic enterprises or data-intensive sectors should consider a 10Gb bearer.
Choosing a higher bearer doesn’t mean you have to use it all immediately — it simply ensures the scalability is there when you need it.
Why Broadband Can’t Compete
With broadband, you’re locked into whatever package you buy.
If you need more speed, you often have to change service type or even switch providers — involving downtime, new hardware, and new contracts.
A leased line is built to evolve.
Your capacity scales effortlessly as your business grows, and performance stays consistent throughout.
How Connect2 Makes Scaling Simple
At Connect2, every leased line quote includes bearer options and upgrade pathways.
We’ll help you plan for growth so your connection never needs replacing — only reconfiguring.
As your network demands change, our provisioning team can upgrade your speed within days — not weeks — with transparent pricing and zero disruption.
Final Thoughts
A leased line isn’t just about speed — it’s about control.
It grows with your business, protects your uptime, and ensures your performance never falls behind.
So whether you start at 100Mb or 1Gb, your connection is ready to scale when you are.
Explore our complete Leased Lines Guide.
FAQ
Can I upgrade my leased line speed mid-contract?
Yes. Most providers allow bandwidth re-grades at any time without new fibre installation or downtime.
What’s the difference between a 1Gb and a 10Gb bearer?
Your bearer determines the maximum speed your line can support. A 10Gb bearer allows higher scalability without further construction work.
Is upgrading expensive?
No. Because the fibre is already in place, upgrades usually only involve a simple reconfiguration and a revised monthly charge.
