At what team size should I switch from broadband to a leased line?

Most businesses find broadband becomes unreliable once ten or more staff simultaneously use cloud applications, VoIP, and video conferencing. UK broadband average download speed is 69.4 Mbps (Ofcom Connected Nations 2024), but upload speeds and contention ratios make shared connections unpredictable for larger teams. A leased line guarantees symmetrical speeds with no contention.

Why are leased line upload speeds so much better than broadband?

Leased lines provide symmetrical bandwidth — identical upload and download speeds — whereas broadband typically offers upload speeds five to ten times slower than download. For businesses uploading large files, running cloud backups, or hosting video calls, this asymmetry creates a bottleneck that a leased line eliminates entirely through its dedicated, uncontended circuit.

Can I use broadband as a failover alongside a leased line?

Yes, and this is a popular resilience configuration for UK businesses. A leased line serves as the primary connection with a 99.99% uptime SLA, whilst a broadband line provides automatic failover if the leased line experiences a fault. This dual-WAN approach ensures continuity without doubling your leased line expenditure.

How long does a leased line take to install compared to broadband?

Broadband installation typically takes five to fifteen working days. Leased line installation takes thirty to ninety working days because it often requires fibre to be laid to your premises. With 43% of UK businesses experiencing a cybersecurity breach or attack (DSIT 2025), planning connectivity infrastructure well in advance is essential to avoid rushed decisions under pressure.

Leased Line vs Business Broadband: Which Is Right for Your Business?

A leased line is a dedicated, uncontended connection with guaranteed speeds and an SLA. Business broadband is shared, cheaper, but offers no speed guarantees. The choice depends on how critical reliable connectivity is to your operations.

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Key Facts

79.5%of UK premises have full fibre (FTTP) coverage (Q3 2025)

87%of UK premises have gigabit-capable broadband (Ofcom 2025)

20m+premises passed by Openreach FTTP network (September 2025)

92%of UK businesses take 24+ hours to recover from an outage

Last updated: March 2026

Leased Line vs Broadband: Comparison

Feature	Leased Line£200–£600/moRecommended	Business Broadband£25–£80/mo
Guaranteed speeds
Symmetrical upload/download
SLA-backed uptime	99.99%+	Best effort
Uncontended (not shared)
Proactive monitoring
Installation time	30–90 days	5–15 days
Best for VoIP/video		Unreliable

When to Choose Each Option

Choose a Leased Line if...

You run cloud applications, VoIP, video conferencing, or any operation where connectivity downtime has a direct financial cost. If your team cannot work without the internet, you need a leased line.

Choose Business Broadband if...

You have basic connectivity needs, a very small office, or need a low-cost backup connection alongside a leased line.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

A leased line costs £200–£600/month more than business broadband. For a 20-person office losing just one hour of productivity per month to broadband issues (at an average loaded salary of £25/hour), the cost of unreliable broadband is £500/month — already exceeding the leased line premium.

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The AMVIA Recommendation

If your business relies on cloud tools, VoIP, or has more than five regular users, we recommend a leased line. The price gap with business broadband has narrowed significantly — leased lines now start from £200 per month. AMVIA will run a free site survey and provide a fixed quote within 24 hours with no obligation.

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