If your business is expanding, upgrading your internet connection is essential for performance, productivity, and scalability. Two of the most popular options for fast, full-fibre business internet in the UK are Leased Lines and FTTP (Fibre to the Premises).
But which one is better for your growing business? Should you opt for the high-performance leased line or the more budget-friendly FTTP?
Join us as we compare Leased Lines vs FTTP to help you decide which is best for your team—mainly if you rely on cloud tools, remote access, VoIP, and real-time collaboration.
🔍 What’s the Difference Between Leased Line and FTTP?
Let’s start with a quick overview of what each option offers.
💡 FTTP (Fibre to the Premises)
- A full-fibre broadband connection directly to your premises.
- Shared with other users in the area.
- Speeds up to 1Gbps download (upload speeds vary).
- Typically cheaper than a leased line.
- No guaranteed bandwidth or uptime.
⚡ Leased Line
- A dedicated fibre line from the provider will be sent to your building.
- Not shared—100% of the Bandwidth is yours.
- Symmetrical speeds (same download & upload).
- Guaranteed uptime with a Service Level Agreement (SLA).
- Higher cost but enterprise-level performance.
📊 Leased Line vs FTTP: At-a-Glance Comparison
Feature | Leased Line | FTTP |
---|---|---|
Speed (Up/Down) | Symmetrical (100Mbps–10Gbps) | Asymmetrical (e.g. 900/115Mbps) |
Dedicated Bandwidth | ✅ Yes (not shared) | ❌ No (shared with others) |
SLA/Uptime Guarantee | ✅ Yes (99.9%+) | ❌ Best effort |
Latency & Jitter | Low & consistent | Variable |
Support Level | 24/7 business-grade support | Standard broadband support |
Cost | Higher (£180–£500+/month) | Lower (£40–£100/month) |
Install Time | 30–90 days | 5–15 working days |
Ideal For | Scale-ups, hybrid teams, VoIP | Light usage, smaller teams |
🚀 When FTTP Makes Sense
We think that FTTP is a solid option for early-stage or small-growing teams with basic internet needs like:
- Cloud-based apps (Microsoft 365, Google Workspace)
- Web browsing and email
- Light file uploads and downloads
- Occasional VoIP or video calls
It’s faster and more reliable than older copper-based services (like FTTC), making it a popular cost-effective upgrade for micro businesses or startups.
✅ we think you should choose FTTP if:
- You’re on a tight budget.
- Your team is under 10 people.
- You don’t host servers or rely on large uploads.
- Your business can tolerate occasional slowdowns or downtime.
⚡ When a Leased Line Is Worth It
A leased line is best for businesses scaling up with 10+ users and high reliance on:
- Cloud data transfer and daily backups
- Hosting websites, servers or apps in-house
- Running VoIP or unified communication systems
- Hybrid/remote working with secure VPN access
- Real-time collaboration (e.g. design, video, live chat)
Because leased lines offer symmetrical speeds and guaranteed uptime, they’re ideal for businesses that can’t afford interruptions or bottlenecks.
✅ Choose a leased line if:
- You’re expanding your team and digital infrastructure.
- You run customer-facing or time-sensitive operations.
- You rely on VoIP, remote access, or cloud storage daily.
- You want business-grade support and fault resolution within hours—not days.
💷 What About the Cost?
Connection type | Typical monthly cost | Installation cost |
---|---|---|
FTTP (e.g. 900Mbps) | £50–£100 | Usually free |
Leased Line (100Mbps–1Gbps) | £180–£500+ | May be free with Gigabit Voucher |
🛠️ Can You Upgrade Later?
Yes! Many businesses start with FTTP and upgrade to a leased line as they grow, but you will just need to make sure your provider offers:
- Flexible contracts
- Upgrade options mid-term
- A migration path to leased lines, if needed
✅ We Think You Should Choose What Fits Your Business Now (and Later)
FTTP and leased lines are great for growing UK businesses—but your choice depends on your current size, digital needs, and plans.
- we think that FTTP offers excellent value and speeds for smaller teams with light-to-moderate internet needs.
- On the other hand, leased lines deliver unbeatable reliability, symmetrical speeds, and performance for scale-ups, remote teams, and cloud-first operations.
Want to read more about leased lines? Check here! |
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