Fibre optic cable is fast becoming the only internet connection to have. With the retirement of the PSTN fast approaching, the roll out of this future-proofed technology is speeding up. But, whilst many connections are widely labelled fibre broadband there are still different options to choose from.
In this article we will explain the difference between two; fibre to the premises (FTTP) and leased line. But before that, let’s have a quick overview of fibre broadband.
What is fibre broadband?
Fibre optic cable is the most up-to-date delivery method for internet connectivity. It has a much larger capacity for data transfer than standard copper cable and will therefore replace it when the PSTN is switched off.
Data travels down the individual fibres at the speed of light and unlike copper the signal strength doesn’t degrade over greater distances. As a result you will get faster upload and download speeds and a more stable and reliable connection.
What is FTTP?
FTTP or fibre to the premises is ultrafast broadband. Data is sent via the exchange to your local street cabinet and from there it’s entire journey is through fibre optic cabling directly into your premises. FTTP utilises existing shared fibre infrastructure and is therefore a contended service, which means you may see a dip in your speeds at peak times.
What is a leased line?
A leased line is dedicated fibre cabling directly into your premises. Unlike FTTP, leased lines do not utilise shared infrastructure so your data will be transferred directly from the internet to you. This means you will receive the full capacity of your connection at all times.
Speeds you will receive
FTTP is an asynchronous connection which means your download speed will be significantly higher than your upload speed. Currently FTTP connections can support speeds up to 1Gb, however most organisations will receive around 330Mbps due to the way the bandwidth is split between premises. For a cost, FTTP is upgradable and scalable, providing you have the required capacity from your connection to increase your speeds.
With a leased line, you will receive the exact speeds you pay for because this is a 1:1 connection. Where leased lines really differ from FTTP is the fact it is a synchronous connection, therefore your upload and download speeds will be the same.
Leased lines are also upgradable but on a bigger scale. When having a leased line installed you will be able to decide which bearer to get, you can usually choose between 1Gb and 10Gb. Both will support speeds upto 1Gb, and you will only pay for the capacity you use, so you could have a 100Mb connection on a 10Gb bearer. If you choose a bearer with more capacity than you require you can increase the speeds you receive to suit your requirements.
Service Level Agreements
Both types of connectivity will come with a service level agreement (SLA). The main difference is that Leased Lines are more stringent because it is a service that has been developed specifically for the commercial market. Standard fix times for leased lines is five hours whereas FTTP could be up to two days.
Reliability
As a connectivity specifically designed with business in mind, Leased Lines are extremely reliable and offer a guaranteed uptime usually around 99.99%. In contrast, FTTP users can occasionally experience downtime or drops in speed due to it being a contended service.
Availability
FTTP isn’t currently widely available across the UK, whilst this is set to change it’s going to be a lengthy process. Leased Lines are available everywhere in the UK, if you can afford it. If you’re in a rural area then this type of connectivity will come at a premium and may be out of reach of many.
Which should I get?
This is a really difficult answer because both connectivity types have their advantages.
FTTP provides ultrafast broadband without breaking the bank, bridging the gap between residential and commercial broadband. If you need a fast connection but don’t require a water tight SLA it’s definitely worth considering and shouldn’t be discounted out of hand if it is available to you.
Leased Lines offer premium, gigabit, synchronous connectivity but it comes with a hefty price tag. If your organisation relies on its internet connection to remain operational then Leased Lines could be the best option for you. The strict SLAs that accompany the service ensure it will be fast and reliable 365 days of the year.
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