What is a Business Leased Line?

A business leased line is a dedicated internet connection provided directly to your business premises. Unlike standard business broadband, which uses a shared network, a leased line provides dedicated capacity for your business.

Leased lines are also commonly referred to as Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) or dedicated internet connections. They are designed for organisations that need predictable performance, fast upload speeds and stronger service commitments than standard broadband typically provides.

A leased line can be particularly useful for businesses that rely heavily on cloud applications, VoIP, video conferencing, large file transfers, online services or connectivity between multiple locations.

What Makes a Leased Line Different?

  • Dedicated connectivity

    Your connection is reserved for your business rather than being a standard shared broadband service.

  • Symmetrical speeds

    Upload and download speeds are typically the same, making leased lines particularly useful for businesses that regularly upload large files or use cloud-based applications.

  • Uncontended performance

    A leased line is designed to provide dedicated bandwidth, helping maintain consistent performance during busy periods.

  • Service level agreement

    Leased line packages typically include an SLA covering aspects such as service availability, support and fault resolution. The exact commitments vary between providers and products.

  • Scalable speeds

    Depending on availability, businesses can choose from a range of speeds and upgrade as their connectivity requirements change.

Compare Business Leased Line Deals

The right leased line depends on more than headline download speed. When comparing business leased lines, consider the monthly price, upload speed, service level agreement, fault resolution target, contract length, installation requirements and availability at your business address.

BT Business

Speeds up to

10Gbps

BTNet Leased Line 

A BT Business leased line includes: 

  • Symmetrical upload & download
  • 5-hour fault fix SLA
  • Private connection, not shared
  • Guaranteed speeds
  • Cisco Meraki security

Daisy Communications

Speeds up to

10Gbps

Bright Leased Line

A Daisy leased line includes: 

  • 6-hour fault fix SLA
  • Private connection, not shared
  • Guaranteed speeds
  • DDoS security
  • Static IP address

Daisy Communications

Speeds up to

1Gbps

Light Leased Line

A Daisy leased line includes: 

  • Next day fault fix SLA
  • UK-based customer service
  • Low 8:1 shared connection
  • Minimum speed guarantee
  • DDoS security

How to Compare Business Leased Lines

Understanding what you're looking for in a leased line ensures you're getting the right connection for your business. 

  • Speed

    Choose enough bandwidth for your users, cloud services, file transfers and other business-critical applications.

  • Upload and download performance

    Leased lines typically provide symmetrical speeds, which can be important for businesses sending large files, using cloud services or hosting online applications.

  • SLA and fault resolution

    Check the provider's service commitments, including availability, support hours and target fault resolution times.

  • Installation

    Installation times vary depending on the existing infrastructure at your premises and whether additional construction work is required.

  • Contract and costs

    Look beyond the monthly price and check installation charges, contract length and any additional services included with the package.

  • Availability

    Leased line availability and pricing are address-specific, so a quote for one premises cannot necessarily be applied to another.

  • Security

    Check what security features are included and whether you need additional firewall, DDoS protection, managed network or other security services.

  • Resilience

    For businesses where downtime is particularly costly, consider whether you need a backup connection or additional resilience alongside your leased line.

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Leased Line vs Business Broadband

Both leased lines and business broadband can provide reliable connectivity, but they're designed for different requirements.

Connection Shared/ contended Dedicated/ uncontended
Upload speed Usually lower than download Typically symmetrical
Download speed Fast, depending on the service Dedicated bandwidth
Performance Can vary depending on network usage Consistent performance
Service level agreement Depends on provider Business-grade service
Fault resolution  Provider dependent Defined service commitments
Cost Lower Higher 
Installation Quicker Can take several weeks up to 3 months
Suited to Basic business usage Business-critical operations 


A leased line isn't simply a faster version of broadband. The key differences are dedicated connectivity, symmetrical bandwidth and stronger service commitments.

If your business mainly needs internet access, email, cloud software and everyday browsing, business broadband may be sufficient. If connectivity is critical to your operations or you need predictable upload and download performance, a leased line may be worth considering.

Leased Line vs Full Fibre Broadband

Full fibre broadband, also known as FTTP, can provide very fast business internet at a lower cost than a traditional leased line. For many small businesses, it may provide all the performance they need.

The main difference is that full fibre broadband remains a broadband service, while a leased line is designed to provide dedicated connectivity with stronger service commitments.

Connection Broadband service Dedicated connection
Contention Typically shared Uncontended/ dedicated
Upload speed Depends on package Symmetrical to download
Service level agreement Product/ provider dependent  Business-grade SLA
Cost Lower Higher
Installation Usually quicker Can take several weeks up to 3 months
Suited to Everyday business connectivity Business-critical operations

 


Which should my business choose?

Full fibre can be a good choice if you want fast, affordable connectivity for everyday business use.

A leased line may be more appropriate if you need dedicated bandwidth, symmetrical speeds, stronger service commitments or consistently high performance for business-critical applications.

If you're unsure, compare both options before committing to a more expensive leased line.

What Leased Line Speed Does My Business Need?

There isn't a single leased line speed that's right for every business. The bandwidth you need depends on how many people and devices use your connection and what they're doing online.

When choosing a speed, consider:

  • Number of employees and connected devices

  • Cloud applications and hosted systems

  • Video conferencing and VoIP

  • Large file uploads and downloads

  • Cloud backups

  • Online services and e-commerce

  • Guest Wi-Fi

  • Multiple business locations

  • Data-intensive applications

  • Expected future growth

Common Leased Line Speeds

100Mbps

A potential option for smaller businesses that need dedicated connectivity but don't have particularly high bandwidth requirements.

500Mbps

Can provide additional capacity for growing teams, heavier cloud usage, frequent file transfers and multiple simultaneous users.

1Gbps

Suitable for businesses with high bandwidth requirements, larger teams, multiple sites or applications where connectivity is particularly important.

10Gbps and above

Designed for organisations with very high data requirements, demanding applications or large-scale network infrastructure. Availability depends on the provider and location.

The right choice isn't necessarily the fastest connection available. Paying for more bandwidth than your business needs can increase costs without providing a meaningful benefit, while choosing too little can restrict performance as your business grows.

Is a Leased Line Right for My Business?

A leased line isn't automatically the best choice for every business. For some organisations, standard business broadband or full fibre can provide more than enough capacity at a lower cost.

A leased line may be worth considering if your business:

  • Relies heavily on cloud-based software

  • Uses VoIP or video conferencing extensively

  • Regularly transfers large files

  • Has many users sharing the connection

  • Runs customer-facing online services

  • Operates across multiple locations

  • Requires reliable upload as well as download speeds

  • Depends on consistent connectivity for day-to-day operations

  • Could lose revenue or productivity if the internet connection fails

  • Needs a business-grade SLA and defined fault-resolution commitments.

When business broadband may be enough

A standard business broadband or full fibre connection may be more appropriate if your business has relatively light connectivity requirements, doesn't regularly transfer large amounts of data and doesn't need the additional SLA and dedicated bandwidth associated with a leased line.

The best option depends on what your business uses the internet for, rather than simply how many employees you have.

Why Choose a Business Leased Line?

A leased line can provide several advantages over standard broadband when connectivity is important to your business.

  • Consistent dedicated connectivity

    A leased line is designed to provide dedicated bandwidth for your business, helping maintain consistent performance rather than relying on a standard shared broadband connection.

  • Symmetrical upload and download speeds

    Unlike many broadband packages, leased lines typically provide the same upload and download speeds. This can be particularly useful when sending large files, using cloud applications, backing up data or hosting services.

  • Business-grade service levels

    Leased line packages typically include an SLA covering elements such as availability, support and fault resolution. Exact commitments vary by provider, so it's important to compare the SLA and the price.

  • Suitable for demanding applications

    Reliable connectivity can be particularly valuable for businesses using cloud platforms, VoIP, video conferencing, large-file transfers, online services, and other bandwidth-intensive applications.

  • Scalable connectivity

    Depending on the provider and network available at your premises, leased line speeds can be increased as your business requirements change.

  • Dedicated connectivity isn't the same as network security

    A leased line provides dedicated connectivity, but it shouldn't be treated as a complete security solution. Businesses should still use appropriate firewalls, access controls, encryption and other security measures based on their requirements.

How To Switch To A Business Leased Line

  • Best Business Utilities Deals

    We just need your business address and basic information to outline your leased line requirements.

  • Compare Broadband 1

    We'll provide you with a range of leased line deals from our panel of UK providers. 

  • Switch With Best Deals

    Once you're happy we will get started on planning installation and getting you connected. 

How Much Does a Business Leased Line Cost

Business leased line prices vary considerably between locations and providers, so there isn't one standard UK price.

The cost of a leased line can depend on:

  • Your business postcode and available network infrastructure

  • The speed and bandwidth you require

  • The provider and network used

  • Contract length

  • Installation requirements

  • Whether additional construction work is needed

  • The SLA and support package

  • Any managed router, security or additional services


A leased line will normally cost more than standard business broadband because you're paying for dedicated connectivity, higher service commitments and a connection designed for consistent business-critical performance.

The most accurate way to find out how much a leased line will cost your business is to compare available deals for your specific premises.

Use our comparison tool to see live deals from BT, Virgin, and Daisy in seconds.

What Affects Leased Line Prices? 

Location is one of the biggest factors. Two businesses requiring the same speed can receive different prices depending on the infrastructure available at their premises.

Speed also affects the cost. A 1Gbps circuit will generally cost more than a lower-speed connection, while higher-capacity services can be available for businesses with more demanding requirements.

Installation can also affect the overall cost. If new infrastructure or additional construction work is required, this may affect the installation price or timescale.

For this reason, advertised leased line prices should be treated as indicative rather than a guaranteed price for every business.

Business Leased Line Providers

  • Virgin Business Leased Line 

    Virgin offers internet speeds ranging from 10 Mbps to 100 Gbps, with an impressive 99.99% service availability. They provide 24/7 customer support and have a 6-hour response time for any service failures, making them a leading choice for dedicated internet access in the UK.

  • Daisy Business Leased Line 

    Daisy provides a fibre ethernet connection with speeds of up to 1 Gbps. They include free DDoS security and offer 24/7 customer support based in the UK.

  • BT Business Leased Line

    BT is a market leader in business broadband and leased lines, offering a 100% target availability service level agreement. They provide 24/7 customer support and speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 10 Gbps.

  • Vodafone Business Leased Line

    Vodafone offers speeds from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, with a service guarantee of 99.9% and a 5-hour fix time. They also prioritise traffic and provide 24/7 customer support, ensuring a reliable solution to keep you connected at all times.

leased line providers.

How Long Does a Business Leased Line Take to Install?

Leased line installation can take several weeks to several months, depending on your location, network availability and whether additional construction work is required.

The exact timeframe is determined after the provider assesses your premises and the infrastructure available nearby.

The Typical Process

  1. Check availability: your business address is checked against available networks. 
  2. Choose a deal: compare available speeds, prices, SLA's, contract terms and other requirements. 
  3. Site survey: your chosen provider will assess your premises and outline what work is required to install the leased line connection. 
  4. Installation: you'll get dates for any on-site work required, and this will be carried out. 
  5. Testing & activation: everything will be tested before your business starts using the service. 

Business Leased Line FAQs

  • What is a leased line?

    A leased line is a dedicated business internet connection designed to provide consistent connectivity, symmetrical upload and download speeds and stronger service commitments than standard broadband.

  • What is Dedicated Internet Access (DIA)?

    Dedicated Internet Access, or DIA, is a dedicated internet service provided for a business. The terms leased line and DIA are often used interchangeably, although the exact service and terminology can vary between providers.

  • How much does a business leased line cost?

    There is no single standard price. Cost depends on your business location, available network, connection speed, provider, contract length and installation requirements. The best way to find an accurate price is to compare available deals for your business address.

  • How fast are leased lines?

    Leased line speeds vary between providers and locations. Options can range from lower-capacity business connections through to 1Gbps, 10Gbps and higher-capacity services for organisations with demanding requirements.

  • Are leased lines symmetrical?

    Leased lines typically offer symmetrical upload and download speeds. This means a 500Mbps leased line, for example, can provide up to 500Mbps for both uploading and downloading, subject to the specific service.

  • What does uncontended mean?

    An uncontended connection is designed to provide dedicated bandwidth rather than sharing the capacity of a standard broadband service with other customers. This can help provide more consistent performance during busy periods.

  • What is a leased line SLA?

    An SLA is a service level agreement that sets out the provider's commitments for areas such as availability, support and fault resolution. The exact terms vary between providers and packages.

  • Can a small business get a leased line?

    Yes. Leased lines are available to businesses of different sizes. However, the higher cost means they are generally most suitable where dedicated connectivity, symmetrical speeds or stronger service commitments provide a clear business benefit.

  • Is a leased line better than full fibre?

    Not necessarily. Full fibre can be a better-value option for many businesses. A leased line may be more appropriate where dedicated bandwidth, symmetrical speeds and stronger SLA commitments are important.

  • What's the difference between a leased line and business broadband?

    Business broadband is generally a shared connection, while a leased line provides dedicated connectivity. Leased lines typically offer symmetrical speeds and stronger service commitments, but they also cost more and can take longer to install.

  • Is a leased line secure?

    A leased line provides dedicated connectivity, but it is not a complete security solution. Businesses should still use appropriate firewalls, access controls, encryption and other security measures where required.

  • What happens if my leased line goes down?

    The provider's SLA determines the support and fault-resolution commitments that apply. These vary between services, so check the SLA before choosing a leased line.

  • Can I use a leased line for VoIP?

    Yes. The consistent performance and symmetrical bandwidth offered by many leased lines can make them suitable for VoIP and other real-time applications. Your wider network configuration should also be designed appropriately for voice traffic.

  • Can a leased line support multiple locations?

    Yes. Businesses with multiple sites can use dedicated connectivity as part of a wider network solution. The most suitable setup depends on how your locations, cloud services and other systems need to communicate.

  • Can I get a leased line at my business address?

    Availability depends on the network infrastructure serving your premises. A provider or comparison service can check availability and available speeds using your business address.

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