If you’re running a business that uses latency-sensitive applications such as VOIP phone systems, video call systems or remote desktop connections then a leased line is an excellent option.
A leased line offers a direct, uncontended connection between your premises and the exchange which avoids traffic jams that can impact other services. They also offer symmetric bandwidth so upload speeds are the same as download speeds.
What Is a Leased Line?
A leased line is a private circuit that connects two communication points for data and voice telecommunication services. This is a service that is provided according to a commercial contract and it can be either fixed or variable in nature. It is similar to a dedicated internet connection but it differs because it has the ability to carry both data and calls (and even PBX systems) simultaneously.
These types of connections are often referred to as ‘data lines’ in the business world and they can be of any speed (64kbps up to 10Gigabits per second). It is important to note that it is not necessary to purchase an Internet access plan with a leased line but rather to only buy the capacity you require for your telecommunication services. The remainder of the circuit can be used for other purposes such as a corporate VPN or other telecommunications services.
The speed of the leased line is based on how fast the equipment at both ends can send and recognise pulses of light. These can be transmitted over a variety of mediums including fibre, copper or even an ISDN connection (although these are becoming less common).
Leased lines offer a guaranteed level of service and they are uncontended which means that there is no sharing with other businesses and their internet connectivity speeds are always the same. They are also backed up by SLAs that ensure the business will be back online within pre-determined timeframes should there ever be any kind of issue with the connectivity.
What Are the Benefits of a Leased Line?
When a business needs guaranteed data speeds and uncontended bandwidth, leased lines are often the way forward. They provide high levels of reliability, performance and security with clear SLAs. As a result, businesses can focus on getting their work done without being disrupted by slow internet connectivity or the threat of data transfer failure.
Wired leased lines are delivered via fibre to the premises (FTTP) – physical fibre cables that travel from your ISP supply point to your business. They transmit data by sending pulses of light through the cable. This results in a very low level of latency (the delay between data being sent over the network and its arriving at its destination), which is advantageous for organisations that use VOIP telephony or large amounts of data.
Fibre leased lines are also able to support a wide range of bearer sizes up to 10Gbps – far in excess of what can be provided by most standard business internet connections. This gives a very high level of flexibility and ensures that your leased line can grow with your company.
Leased lines are a premium service, which means that they can be more expensive than other options. However, the benefits that they offer can far outweigh their cost. If you would like to discuss the benefits of a leased line for your business, then get in touch with Elite Group today.
What Are the Disadvantages of a Leased Line?
The main disadvantage of leased lines is that they are generally more expensive than other business internet options. This is because a leased line creates a constant tunnel between two locations to enable a continuous flow of data, which requires substantial resources and time to install, compared to other business connectivity solutions such as fibre broadband connections.
However, there are times when a leased line can be more cost-effective for a company depending on the specific circumstances. For example, if a business is based far from a fibre point and experiences an extended period of time without a working internet connection (such as 48 hours or more), then it may benefit from the reliability of a leased line to ensure that crucial work can continue unabated.
Furthermore, as a leased line is dedicated solely to the use of a particular company, it offers symmetric speeds for uploads and downloads which are much faster than traditional broadband. This can help companies transfer large files quicker, reduce IT maintenance downtime and boost productivity overall.
Any company that relies on internet applications and connections to operate should consider a leased line to help drive its growth and ensure the stability of critical processes. This could include financial services firms, which rely on high-speed intelligence and trading capabilities, as well as digital businesses that require fast response times to customer interactions.
How Do I Get a Leased Line?
Whether you want to introduce bandwidth-hungry digital services such as VoIP telephony, or simply require a superfast business internet connection for your day-to-day operations, a leased line is a secure and reliable option. With a leased line you’ll enjoy symmetrical upload and download speeds, as well as a dedicated fibre connection that’s not shared with thousands of other businesses – making it far more secure than your typical broadband service.
If you’re considering a leased line, it’s worth enlisting the help of a professional IT service provider to manage your leased line for you. In addition to their experience in providing high-speed business internet, a professional IT support company can also provide elevated levels of security and proactive management.
As well as installing and managing your leased line, a professional IT service provider can offer a backup internet connection in the event of a problem. This can be a much quicker and more cost-effective way of fixing issues than waiting for an engineer to visit your premises.
A leased line can be delivered either wirelessly via radio or by physical fibre cables. Both options have their benefits, with radio having rapid lead times (typically 10-21 working days) and fibre taking longer to install (up to 60-90 working days, depending on the distance between your business premises and the nearest fibre cabinet). The speed of your leased line will be dictated by the bearer size you opt for, which ranges from 20/100Mbps up to 1Gbps and beyond.
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