What is a leased line?
A leased line is a dedicated, fixed bandwidth private data connection. Leased lines are provided by Internet Service Providers (ISP) such as 4Com directly to businesses that are looking for a more reliable internet connection than those offered by standard broadband internet connections. A leased line connection is a symmetrical (upload and download speeds are the same), uncontended (not shared with other users), point to point connection which isn’t affected by peak usage times throughout the day.About Our Leased Lines Service
Leased Lines provide you with the most reliable internet connection available; as they don’t run over analogue lines (which broadband services rely upon) so if your analogue line fails, you will still have connectivity provided by your leased line. At the time of writing, in all our years of providing this service, we have yet to have a recorded fault on a leased line, which highlights their reliability.
Leased line benefits
More reliable connection
Better SLA (service level agreement)
Symmetrical bandwidth for upload and download
Guarantee faster speeds
Control over data restrictions
Connect multiple offices together
Symmetrical Speeds
Aside from their reliability, one of the biggest advantages to leased lines is their symmetrical speeds; meaning that if you have a 10Mbps connection, you’ll have 10Mbps download and 10Mbps upload. Thanks to these reliable speeds, leased lines are the perfect choice if you are looking to integrate all your network traffic, such as voice and data.
Provisioning, Surveys and Project Management
The provisioning of a Leased Line takes longer than other connection options as it will involve new cabling being installed which may mean public infrastructure closures and good project management will be required. That’s why we provide you with a project manager from order to installation. Your project manager will organise your site survey which will determine the work needed to install your line. They will then also lead the organisation of all of this work.
Installation costs of up to £2,000 are covered by us on contracts of 3 years or longer, and our contract lengths range from 12 to 60 months.
Ethernet Access Direct (EAD)
EAD is the most common type of Leased Line; it provides a direct connection back to the exchange over a fibre optic cable, meaning you can receive speeds from 5Mbps up to 1Gbps and beyond. Any location can receive an EAD connection, the difference between each location is simply the amount of work required to establish the connection, which is why the cost will vary from line to line, even if they are the same speed. The provisioning time for these particular leased lines can be anything from 2 to 4 months from survey, depending on the survey’s findings.
Ethernet First Mile (EFM)
EFM, as the name suggests, uses Ethernet over the first mile, so the first mile of the connection will remain as a copper line. This is why EFM is only suitable if you’re looking for a connection of up to 40Mbps, but it is cheaper and takes less time to provision than EAD which is why it remains a popular choice. Unlike EAD however the EFM service is not available in all locations, please call us to discuss whether this service is available and right for your requirements.
Leased line FAQs
Leased Lines are uncontended, meaning no one else uses the network other than you/your business. Broadband, however, is contended, meaning the connection is shared with other users, which can result in reduced connectivity levels during peak usage times.
If you’re a business looking to access a leased line, contact 4Com today. We will come and assess your needs and handle everything from the installation of the leased line to the support provided throughout your contract.