If you run a business, we know that your internet connection needs to keep up with demand, which is why more UK businesses are switching to leased lines—but how fast are they really? And how do they compare to standard fibre broadband?
Join us as we break down leased line speeds, the difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical connections, and how leased lines stack up against other business internet options.
⚡ What Is a Leased Line?
A leased line is a dedicated internet connection that’s installed directly from the provider to your business premises and they usually offer:
- Guaranteed speeds (upload and download)
- Symmetrical bandwidth
- 100% uncontended connection (not shared with other users)
- 99.9% uptime with service level agreements (SLAs)
Broadband is shared and can slow down during peak hours, whereas on the other hand, leased lines provide you with consistent, high-performance connectivity—essential for any business needing to stay connected and ahead of the crowd.
🚀 How Fast Is a Leased Line?
Leased lines in the UK typically offer speeds from:
- 100Mbps
- 500Mbps
- 1Gbps (1000Mbps)
- Up to 10Gbps for large-scale enterprise solutions
What makes these speeds so powerful is symmetry—you get the same speed for uploads as you do for downloads.
📊 Leased Line Speeds vs Fibre Broadband: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Leased Line | Fibre Broadband (FTTC/FTTP) |
|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 100Mbps–10Gbps | Up to 1000Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 100Mbps–10Gbps | 20–115Mbps (FTTP) |
| Symmetrical Speeds | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Shared Bandwidth | ❌ No (dedicated line) | ✅ Yes (contended network) |
| Uptime Guarantee (SLA) | ✅ 99.9%+ | ❌ Best-effort only |
| Latency | Low and consistent | Higher and more variable |
| Ideal For | Cloud, VoIP, remote teams | Browsing, email, light usage |
💡 Why Symmetrical Speeds Matter for Business
Most people focus on download speeds, but for businesses, we know that the upload speed of your internet connection is just as important, and here’s why
- You get faster uploads to the cloud – for backups, file sharing, and cloud apps
- and smooth VoIP and video conferencing – especially for remote teams
- as well as reliable large file transfers – essential for creatives, architects, engineers
- and you can utilise hosting servers or websites – upload bandwidth affects performance
With regular old broadband, you might have 900Mbps download but only 100Mbps upload, but with a leased line, you could have 900Mbps up and 900Mbps down, 24/7.
🧪 Real-World Speed Examples
Here’s what different leased line speeds can realistically handle:
| Leased line speed | Example |
|---|---|
| 100Mbps | Ideal for small teams using cloud tools, video calls, and file sharing |
| 500Mbps | Suitable for medium-sized teams, remote working, cloud backups, VoIP, and HD video conferencing |
| 1Gbps (1000Mbps) | Best for large teams, hybrid offices, servers, and high data transfer environments |
| 10Gbps | Enterprise-level needs, data centres, streaming platforms, large-scale operations |
📍 Is a Leased Line Overkill for Your Business?
Not necessarily! While leased lines were once seen as expensive and only for large companies, they’re now much more accessible—even to small and medium businesses, so we suggest that you consider a leased line if:
- You rely on cloud apps like Microsoft 365, Salesforce, or Google Workspace
- You host services or run internal servers
- Your team uses Zoom, Teams, or VoIP calls daily
- You have remote or hybrid staff needing secure, fast access
- Your current broadband slows down at peak times or drops out regularly
💷 Leased Line Speeds and Pricing (2025)
Pricing varies by location, speed, and provider. Here’s a rough guide for UK leased lines in 2025:
| Speed | Monthly cost (From) | Installation |
|---|---|---|
| 100Mbps | £180–£250 | Often free with vouchers |
| 500Mbps | £250–£350 | May include setup fee |
| 1Gbps | £300–£500 | Voucher-eligible |
| 10Gbps | £800+ | Bespoke pricing, long lead time |
We Think Speed Is Just the Start
A leased line gives you guaranteed performance, not just impressive numbers on paper. With symmetrical speeds, no shared bandwidth, and 24/7 reliability, your business can work faster, communicate better, and stay ahead of the competition.
Want to read more about leased lines? Check here! |