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Leased Lines
What is a leased line? Learn how dedicated
fibre keeps your business connected in 2025.
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Link Guide: 8 minute read
A leased line is the most reliable form of business internet — a private, fibre-based connection that delivers guaranteed speeds, uptime, and symmetrical performance for mission-critical operations.
A leased line is a private, fixed-bandwidth internet connection that provides equal upload and download speeds. It’s built exclusively for your business — meaning the bandwidth isn’t shared with anyone else. This guarantees consistent performance, even during peak times.
Leased lines use dedicated fibre to connect your premises directly to your provider’s core network. The result is uncontended, high-speed connectivity that’s ideal for cloud applications, VoIP, video conferencing, and data-intensive operations.
Because performance is guaranteed through strict service-level agreements (SLAs), leased lines are trusted by businesses that can’t afford downtime or congestion. They form the backbone of modern corporate and multi-site connectivity across the UK.
Leased lines use dedicated fibre to create a direct, uncontended link between your business premises and your provider’s core network — ensuring consistent, guaranteed performance.
A leased line works by providing a dedicated physical connection between two fixed points — your site and your internet provider. Unlike broadband, where multiple users share the same capacity, a leased line gives you exclusive access to the full bandwidth at all times.
Each circuit is built using fibre optic cables, often following a private route from your local exchange to your premises. Because this line isn’t shared, your data travels directly to and from the network without congestion or slowdown.
This architecture allows for symmetrical upload and download speeds, low latency, and guaranteed uptime backed by strict service-level agreements (SLAs). It’s why leased lines are trusted for cloud applications, real-time data transfer, VoIP, and remote access.
In short, a leased line is your own private lane on the internet — no traffic, no sharing, just reliable performance around the clock.
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Understanding how leased lines differ from standard broadband helps explain why businesses choose dedicated fibre connections for consistent speed, uptime, and reliability.
Broadband and leased lines both provide internet access, but they work very differently. A broadband connection is shared with other users in your area, so speeds often drop during busy periods.
It also offers much lower upload speeds than download, which limits performance for cloud use, file sharing, and video calls. A leased line gives your business a private, dedicated connection with equal upload and download speeds. The bandwidth you pay for is yours alone — no sharing, no congestion, and no slowdowns.
This consistency makes leased lines ideal for cloud platforms, VoIP, VPNs, and real-time collaboration.
Each circuit is backed by strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs) guaranteeing uptime and performance. In short, broadband suits everyday browsing, while leased lines are built for businesses that need consistent speed, reliability, and 24/7 stability.
| Feature | Leased Line | Broadband |
|---|---|---|
| Connection Type | Dedicated, private fibre circuit. | Shared access over a contended network. |
| Bandwidth | Guaranteed and symmetrical (equal upload/download). | Variable; typically higher download than upload. |
| Performance | Uncontended — no slowdowns at peak times. | Contended — speeds can drop during busy periods. |
| Reliability | 99.999% uptime backed by SLAs and proactive monitoring. | Best-effort service; no guaranteed uptime. |
| Security | Private data path; ideal for sensitive or regulated traffic. | Shared infrastructure; broader exposure risk. |
| Scalability | Easily upgraded (100Mb → 1Gb → 10Gb+). | Constrained by local exchange or package. |
| Support Response | Guaranteed fix times (SLA-defined). | Standard response; no fixed resolution time. |
| Typical Use | Cloud apps, VoIP, VPN, real-time data, mission-critical ops. | General office or home use, non-critical workloads. |
Installing a leased line involves a structured process that ensures every part of the connection — from the initial site survey to activation — meets strict technical and service standards.
Installation begins with a site survey, where engineers plan the most efficient fibre route from the nearest network point to your premises. If new ducting or third-party access is required, a wayleave agreement is arranged before the build starts.
Next, the fibre installation takes place, connecting your building directly to the provider’s core network. Once cabling is complete, engineers fit termination equipment, run final performance tests, and hand the circuit over with full service verification.
Most leased line installations are completed within 30 to 90 working days, depending on location, access, and site conditions. The process is carefully managed to minimise disruption and ensure your business remains connected throughout.
The end result is a bespoke, enterprise-grade connection built for long-term performance and peace of mind.
Leased lines are used by organisations that depend on constant, high-performance connectivity — where downtime or slow speeds can impact productivity and customer experience.
They’re ideal for businesses running cloud-based systems, such as CRM, ERP, or VoIP platforms, where consistent upload and download speeds are critical. Media and design agencies also rely on leased lines to transfer large files securely and quickly.
Financial institutions and healthcare providers depend on them for data integrity, secure communication, and real-time service delivery. Educational and public-sector organisations use leased lines to support online learning, digital services, and remote collaboration.
For multi-site or high-traffic businesses, leased lines provide a stable backbone for VPNs, private networks, and site-to-site connectivity.
Whether you’re hosting servers, supporting hybrid work, or delivering live customer services, a leased line keeps your business connected — reliably and securely, without compromise.
It connects your premises directly to your provider’s network using dedicated fibre optic cables. This uncontended link means you never share bandwidth with other users.
Speeds range from 10Mb to 100Gb, depending on your location and network availability. Most UK businesses choose between 100Mb, 1Gb, or 10Gb.
Broadband is shared between multiple users, which causes slowdowns at busy times. A leased line is fully dedicated, so performance stays stable 24/7.
It typically takes between 30 and 90 working days, depending on site surveys, permissions, and the level of new fibre work required.
Coverage is growing quickly. Most cities and business parks are fully connected, while rural areas may need additional network build work.
A wayleave is legal permission allowing engineers to install cabling through third-party land or buildings. It’s common in multi-tenant offices or shared sites.
Installation is handled by national network providers such as BT, Virgin, Vodafone, CityFibre, and Colt, often through trusted connectivity partners like Connect2.
Yes. Any company that relies on cloud services, VoIP, or real-time data benefits from guaranteed speeds and uptime. It prevents downtime and protects productivity.
Because leased lines are uncontended and backed by SLAs, performance rarely fluctuates. Issues are usually limited to external damage or maintenance windows.
Absolutely. Leased lines can be used to link sites together via VPN or private networks, creating secure, high-speed connectivity between offices.
All leased lines include a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that guarantees a fast response and fix time — usually within a few hours. Providers monitor connections proactively to prevent outages.
One More Question?
Let us know, if you need some help and didn’t find an answer to your question.
We hope this guide has helped you understand what a leased line is, how it works, and why it’s the most reliable choice for business connectivity in the UK. For expert advice or a no-obligation quote, speak to our team on 03300 770070.
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