A leased line with 1 GB bandwidth aims to deliver a speed of 1 Gbps, along with additional promising features such as an uncontended network, equal download and upload speeds, and more. It is an ideal connectivity solution for businesses upgrading their lower bandwidth leased lines (50 MB and 100 MB) or simply switching from their outdated broadband connection to something more reliable.
In this blog, we will focus on the 1 GB leased line and explore its related costs in detail. We’ll also highlight the types of businesses that most benefit from this option, its advantages, features and what to look for in a provider to simplify your search.
What is a 1 GB leased line?
A 1 GB leased line provides a dedicated connection of 1 gigabit per second for small to mid-sized businesses, delivered through a fibre glass network laid underground. A bandwidth of 1 GB lies perfectly in the middle of the available speed options, neither as low as 50 MB nor as high as 10 GB. It has become one of the most sought-after leased line choices in the UK corporate sector.
Businesses typically use it to connect a site to an ISP network or link two or more premises directly (point-to-point leased line). It provides a more advanced and reliable alternative to traditional landline broadband connections.
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Why choose a 1 GB leased line?
A 1 GB leased line is the perfect match for businesses dealing with data-heavy tasks, such as hosting a website, using VoIP, using a large number of devices at a time, and communicating between multiple locations for remote work. Here are the features provided by a 1 GB leased line:
Equal download and upload speeds
A broadband connection can also provide a bandwidth of 1 GB, so why choose a 1 GB leased line? That is because it provides equally high upload speeds. Broadband connections are specifically designed for independent users who use the internet mainly for downloading and less for uploading purposes. But businesses that upload large amounts of data to the cloud daily need competitive upload speeds of 1 GB, which broadband networks can’t provide.
Dedicated connection
A 1 GB leased line provides a dedicated, private connection for its users with no bandwidth sharing. As a result, users experience consistent speeds without any interruption caused by network congestion or peak usage times.
SLAs
1 GB leased line contracts are legally protected with service-level agreements. Providers highlight their service metrics in their contracts so users know exactly what features to expect. If any of the SLA criteria are not met, for example, a user experiencing more downtime than expected is entitled to compensation, as backed by the contract.
Maximum connection uptime
After setting up the connection, the leased line provider consistently monitors it to stay ahead of any issues. That is why the minimal downtime is expected with many leased line contracts, offering an uptime of 99.99%.
Scalability
As the business grows, the same 1 GB leased line can be upgraded to 10 GB to match future needs. In many cases, businesses are already upgrading to a 1 GB leased line from their previous connections of 100 MB.
Minimal resolution times
A 1 GB leased line provides resolution times as low as a few days in case of issues with the infrastructure. These expected minimum and maximum resolution times are also outlined in the SLAs.
Reliability
Leased lines offer high reliability with their uncontended connections, equal upload and download speeds, minimal resolution times and maximum uptime, all legally supported by SLAs. They also provide multiple speed options, starting from as low as 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1 Gbps, and 100 Gbps.
Cost breakdown of a 1 GB leased line
We have divided the leased line associated costs of 1 GB into two main types, based on the frequency of payment. Let us take a closer look at this cost breakdown along with its average price ranges in the market.
Installation costs
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Installation costs are one-time charges paid at the initial stages of the contract for establishing the infrastructure. You’ll find that these charges mostly remain similar for different bandwidth connections, whether that be 50MB, 100 MB, or 1 GB. That is because it depends on factors other than the speed of connection.
In general, you can expect to pay installation charges in the range of £0 to £20,000. The factors that decide the exact amount payable for installing a 1 GB leased line are:
- Your chosen provider: Different providers have different evaluation criteria and cost structures for installation charges. Each provider takes different factors into account and provides a quotation accordingly.
- Contract length: Generally, providers waive the full installation fee or provide discounts if you sign up with them for a longer term (more than 24 months).
- Wireless or wired: Wireless leased lines require less complicated infrastructure than wired leased lines (consisting of fibre leased lines), which require two points of connection to be physically connected.
- Area survey: It refers to the analysis of the surroundings in which the connection is required. Providers take into account if the area is rich in existing infrastructure, whether they have a data centre nearby and calculate the amount of digging required to bury the leased lines.
Monthly costs
The monthly costs of a leased line connection directly vary with its bandwidth; a 1 GB leased line has higher charges than a 100 MB leased line. Typically, the average monthly charges of a 1 GB leased line are in the range of £300 – £650/ per month. In addition to connection bandwidth, the monthly charges of a 1 GB leased line also depend on:
- Type of leased line: Fibre leased lines are most commonly referred to as just “leased lines”, so it’s the most common type, which uses fibre optic cables for its complete connection. However, other options like EFM and EoFTTC offer closer alternatives with varying prices.
- The extent of SLAs: Leased line contracts with extensive service level agreements are pricier than those with basic SLAs. Businesses that opt for comprehensive contracts with maximum SLA coverage typically pay above the industry-standard rates.
Monthly cost comparison with other speed options
50 MB leased line: Monthly prices range from £135 to £200.
100 MB leased line: Monthly charges fall in the price range of £185 to £270.
1 Gb leased line: Monthly charges are expected to be £300 – £650.
10 GB leased line: Average monthly charges start from £650 per month.
Ideal businesses for 1 GB leased lines
Leased lines are beneficial for all types and sizes of businesses, but some especially benefit from them because of their nature of work (remote or cloud-based businesses) or operations (businesses centred around technology). These are:
Software and IT companies
For software and IT companies, a 1 GB leased line is the framework for efficient working. It allows software engineers and developers to back up piles of data with its high upload speed and zero contingency. Businesses can keep up with internal communication and backup, along with making sure their websites and applications continue to run smoothly to provide top-level services to their customers.
Telecommunication businesses
A 1 GB leased line provides maximum reliability and uptime to call and telecommunication centres. Mostly, such businesses work remotely and need smooth communication to and from each location. This dedicated connection can handle data-intensive VoIP calls to provide the highest service quality to their customers without any jittering, low signals, bad quality or dropping calls.
Financial businesses
In finance, it is critical to make the right decision at the right time with no chance to lose an opportunity. A 1 GB leased line offers the lowest possible latency to track the real-time market and stay ahead of your competitors. The private nature of the connection allows for maintaining maximum security of client privacy and the sensitive nature of large-scale transactions.
Media businesses
Media companies constantly work with large-scale videos and media files. A 1 GB leased line allows teams to upload 100 GB+ files in minutes and speed up the whole process of sending and receiving files. In addition to higher speeds, the data quality also remains consistent over large distances with minimal interruptions.
How to choose a 1 GB leased line provider?
Choosing the right leased line provider for your 1 GB connection is one of the most important parts of the process. The success of your connection and how it plays in the long term depends on how well your provider provides services. We have listed down some factors that you should look for in your provider before finalising your option:
Competitive prices
It is crucial to get transparent and competitive pricing from the provider you’d be working with in the long term. Look for a provider that offers a clear breakdown of costs, including the installation fee, monthly charges and potential additional prices. The goal is to find a balance of fair pricing and competitive services, rather than simply the cheapest option.
Flexible contract terms
If you are unsure about long-term contracts of up to 36 months, look for other options. Find providers who offer flexibility, such as 12 or 24-month terms to match your business’s needs. A reliable provider will make it easy to scale your bandwidth with minimal changes.
Infrastructure coverage
Before finalising your provider, make sure that their fibre network reaches your specific building in your area. Always confirm whether they have existing infrastructure in your area. Such a provider typically offers faster installation with affordable charges than one that has to lease lines from another company.
Available speed options
A 1 GB leased line is the only bandwidth option. Think about your future needs and scaling possibilities. A competitive provider should offer speeds up to 10 GB so your leased line connection can grow with your business.
Extensive SLAs
The service level agreements define your provider’s commitments and legally oblige them to provide the same service as advertised. Carefully read the agreement to analyse the extent of SLAs covered, along with the compensation you receive if these targets are missed.
Quality customer service
When your connection goes down, you need immediate support. Search providers known for their 24/7 customer service. You want to work with a leased line provider that provides practical support to solve your problems promptly.
Compare providers
Lastly, compare leased line providers which work with businesses like yours. This will help you compare pricing, features, customer support and SLAs in real time to choose the most suitable provider for your business.
Explore reliable 1 GB leased line providers in the UK with ComparedBusiness UK
Whether you choose the option of a full-fibre leased line, EFM or EoFTTC, ComparedBusiness UK can help you connect with the top 1 GB leased line providers in the UK. Just submit your requirements in less than 2 minutes, and we will match you with the top service providers in the UK. You can pick and choose the best option as per your business requirements. This service comes to you at no cost.
The monthly cost of a 1 GB leased line typically ranges between £300 and £650 per month. The exact cost depends on factors such as contract length, provider, and the type of SLA included. Installation charges can range from £0 up to £20,000, though many providers waive or reduce these fees for longer-term contracts.
All businesses can benefit from reliable connectivity, but industries such as IT and software companies, telecom centres, financial institutions, and media organisations often find a 1 GB leased line essential due to their data-heavy operations and need for high reliability.
Broadband shares bandwidth with multiple users, but a 1 GB leased line provides a dedicated and uncontended connection with equal download and upload speeds. This provides consistent performance, minimal downtime, and maximum security to businesses.
