The Advantages of Leased Lines for Small Businesses
The majority of businesses are reliant upon the internet. Without it, few could function efficiently. As a result of this reliance, many small businesses are exploring their options when it comes to their internet connection.
With so many businesses and organisations reliant on their IT infrastructure to get through the day, it’s no wonder having access to quick, reliable internet is becoming an increasingly crucial component of most day-to-day operations. We rely on our internet connection to answer the phone, respond to emails and utilise innovative cloud-centric technology. Without a reliable internet connection, your small business runs the risk of reduced productivity and even extended downtime. For many, even the smallest of interruptions can have a dramatic effect on profitability.
If your business internet isn’t providing you with reliability, speed and/or the security you require, then you might like to consider upgrading to a leased line. Offering maximum bandwidth and symmetrical download than your average broadband connection, a leased line can provide your business with the connection it needs to nurture growth and boost productivity.
So, what is a leased line? And what are the advantages of implementing one in your business operations?
What is a leased line?
A leased line is a high-capacity fibre connection supplied by an internet service provider (ISP) usually via a professional IT support company. As the name suggests, a leased line is leased specifically to your business.
A leased line is especially important if a business already uses or would like to introduce bandwidth-intensive services in its day-to-day operations, such as VoIP telephony or a regularly scheduled offsite backup. It essentially gives small businesses plenty of immediate capacity with room to grow.
What are the benefits of a leased line?
With many small businesses turning to leased lines, you may be wondering if upgrading your business internet is worth the hassle. So why would a small business implement a leased line and perhaps most important, what are the advantages?
Dedicated Internet Connection
The main advantage of a leased line is that it is a dedicated internet connection, meaning you won’t have to share your precious bandwidth with any other companies or private households. This is in contrast to a traditional broadband connection which is often shared between several businesses and/or residential homes.
As a result, with leased lines your bandwidth won’t fluctuate at peak times. In other words, the internet won’t crash or slow down at the busiest times of the day!
Service Level Agreements
Another major advantage of a leased line is service level agreements (SLAs). These agreements dictate the minimum level of service you can expect from your provider. They also outline the level of compensation on offer, in the event of a fault. Therefore, should you have an issue, that isn’t rectified promptly, you will be aware of what compensation to expect. Most other internet connections will offer limited compensation, if at all, in the event of a problem.
Higher Upload Speeds
As the name suggests, a leased line is leased exclusively to you and your business, meaning peak-hour usage will have no impact on the speed or reliability of your internet connection.
When businesses consider an internet service, they seldom consider upload speeds. Domestic internet services have much higher download speeds compared to upload speeds. With a leased line, however, these speeds are identical, which is a massive advantage. Upload speeds determine how quickly you can send data. The higher your upload speed, the more efficient (and quicker) the overall connection is. In the workplace, this means it’s easier to send emails, access data on servers and make VoIP calls.
Symmetrical Download & Upload Speeds
One of the most crucial advantages of a leased line is the symmetrical download and upload speeds. This means you and your team will have access to a stable and secure internet connection that won’t slow down or crash during peak times or bandwidth-intensive processes such as an offsite data backup or VoIP call.
Built In Scalability
A leased line is a scalable and an adaptable connection that can grow with your small business. In our fast-paced world where data generation and consumption are increasing rapidly, a leased line allows businesses to scale their bandwidth and data usage in accordance with their demands and needs.
A dependable leased line also allows a business to implement bandwidth-intensive services that can help the company to nurture, grow and flourish. As your business grows, services such as VoIP telephone and offsite backups become more important. A leased line delivers the internet connection you require to implement innovative, bandwidth-hungry solutions.
What are the disadvantages of leased lines?
Whilst we believe that leased lines have a number of advantages for small businesses, they are not suitable for all. Nor are they without their faults.
Due to the advantages of leased lines, there is a noticeable price difference when compared to alternative internet connections. Almost all leased lines will cost more than £100/month. Prices range due to a number of factors, but they are not as cheap as more common means of internet service.
What’s more, a leased line requires a site survey. A site survey ensures it is possible to provide a leased line in the first place. In metropolitan areas, this site survey isn’t usually an issue. Other than a wait of a few weeks, most results come back positive and with minimal additional costs – if any. However, for more rural businesses, it can sometimes cause issues. If the infrastructure isn’t currently available in your location, there is a cost to make it available. This can often be fairly hefty.
Is a leased line worth it?
It goes without saying that your business will definitely benefit from a leased line. However, if still in doubt, it’s important to examine your day-to-day operations in their current state. Does your existing business internet perform at a level you believe is satisfactory? Or are you and your team experiencing frequent downtime and disruption as a result of having an unreliable connection?
Now take a look at the digital components and IT infrastructure within your business operations. It’s also important to consider your workforce and if your operations are benefitting from optimal productivity. A leased line is an ideal business internet option for companies with…
- A centralised office with a large workforce
- Regular transference of data such as offsite backups
- Bandwidth-centric services such as VoIP telephony
If you answered yes to any of the above questions, it may be time to properly evaluate your business internet and consider an update.
Leased lines from Acronyms IT Support
With so many organisations relying on technology these days, having a secure and fast internet connection is more crucial than ever. Small businesses rely on their internet connection to keep their day-to-day operations running as smoothly as possible. Having a reliable internet connection also allows for the implementation of cutting-edge cloud-centric technologies and apps.
If you are finding yourself experiencing frequent downtime it may be time to upgrade your business internet to a leased line connection. A leased line is ideal for nurturing growth and productivity in your day-to-day operations. This is because it allows your company to take advantage of maximum bandwidth and symmetrical download and upload speeds while still maintaining business continuity.
We have been helping small businesses with their IT infrastructure and digital assets since 2003. Our experienced team of engineers, consultants and technicians offer a wide array of innovative digital solutions, including the installation of leased line internet connections as well as other services like VoIP and offsite backups. Our knowledgeable staff can provide your company with the reliable and secure internet connection you need to nurture, flourish and grow.
If you’d like to know more about leased line connections, please book a no-obligation consultation with the team today.
Alternatively, here are a number of resources you might find useful:
Our Internet Connectivity Services
Best Accountancy Leased Line Case Study