Every business needs an internet connection to operate. But not all of them have the same needs. Some businesses might use an internet connection only to browse, transfer data, and manage their social media, and others might use it to run the company website, transfer large files, and set up a VoIP connection.
All these vastly different internet users choose different types of internet connections to match their requirements. EoFTTC and leased lines are two such types available in the UK. Today, we will discuss both of them with the main goal of understanding the difference between them. We will explain their definitions, cost breakdown, and advantages so you can make a wise decision by choosing the most relevant option to your own needs.
What is EOFTTC?
Ethernet over fibre to the cabinet (EoFTTC) combines the affordability of copper wires and the high-speed capability of fibre optic cables. It comprises a hybrid infrastructure that uses fibre optic cables to transmit data to a street-level cabinet. From there, copper wiring connects your location to the cabinet. Even though its performance is inferior to that of a full-fibre leased line, it is still an advanced option for an internet connection as compared to a landline internet connection.
What is a leased line?
A leased line is one of the most popular ways a business can employ an internet connection these days. It uses a network of fibre cables, copper wires, or a mix of both to provide a direct connection between two points.
A leased line internet connection offers the following benefits, which differentiate it from other internet services:
- Dedicated connection – users do not have to share bandwidth.
- Uncontended service —provides a consistent internet speed with maximum uptime.
- Includes SLAs – makes sure the proposed benefits match the actual services offered.
Types of leased lines
In case of a leased line connection, the network is laid from the Internet Service Provider to the nearest point of presence of the customer, from where it extends to the location via copper wires or optic fibre. This makes the different types of leased lines, depending on the type of wires used for the infrastructure. Of course, this difference also impacts the performance of the connection.
Let us take a look at its three main types:
- Fibre Ethernet: When someone casually mentions leased lines, this is the type they are most probably referring to. Fibre Ethernet uses only fibre optic cables for an end-to-end connection.
- Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM): This type of leased line uses only copper wires for the infrastructure. Even though it uses a copper network, it is still considered a leased line connection because it offers a direct and independent connection along with SLA agreements with the provider.
- Ethernet over Fibre to the Cabinet (EoFTTC): Instead of using 100% fibre cables for its network, it uses a mix of it with copper cables. The connection still remains unshared in most cases and comes with SLAs.
EOFTTC vs Leased Line: Differences at a Glance
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EOFTTC vs Leased Line: 5 key differences
Let’s now look at how EOFTTC connections and leased lines differ.
1. Symmetrical or asymmetrical speeds
Different internet services provide varying download and upload speeds. This is because each type of internet user has different needs. Home-based users and day-to-day consumers mostly require the internet for passive consumption (only downloading, no uploading), whether that be streaming movies, music services, video platforms or general online browsing.
On the other hand, businesses actively consume the internet to transfer data online, run website servers, manage online storefronts, and set up digital communication. All these actions require high upload speeds for an internet connection.
- Leased lines: provide symmetrical speeds for downloading and uploading data.
- EOFTTC: offers asymmetrical speeds, where downloads are faster than uploads.
2. Reliability
EoFTTC still partly depends on copper cables to connect the street cabinet to the final location of the business. Because of the limitations of copper, the strength of the internet connection depends on the distance from the cabinet. Longer distances can sometimes result in signal loss and other disruptions, all of which lower reliability. Additionally, these copper lines are more susceptible to weather damage and corrosion because they are laid overhead.
However, fibre optic cables are typically laid underground, which makes them more protected from environmental damage. A full-fibre connection uses a much higher-quality dedicated line. As a result, leased lines offer far greater reliability as compared to EoFTTC and fewer chances of interruptions.
3. Installation time
There is a high chance that a copper network already exists at any business premises, especially if it has been using any type of internet or landline service before switching to EoFTTC. This existing copper infrastructure is used for the last stretch of the connection, from the street cabinet to your business location. That is why EOFTTC takes less time and money to install than a standard full-fibre leased line.
Installing a leased line connection requires longer setup times. Generally, it takes less time in big cities in the UK as compared to smaller cities. It is because the remote connections in rural areas require a comprehensive network and a lack of existing infrastructure.
For example, it will take 45 -85 days in major cities to complete the installation process in the UK. However, it can take a minimum of 2 months, extending up to 4 or 5 if you want to install a leased line in a very remote area.
4. Cost-effectiveness
Another big difference between an EOFTTC and a leased line connection is the price. We just discussed the installation times required for both. If an internet connection takes less time to install, it will automatically lower the costs associated with it. That is the case with an
EOFTTC connection, which is more affordable than a full fibre leased line connection. Even though leased line costs may be high, they offer high-speed internet with premium SLAs, symmetrical speeds, and a 99.99% uptime.
- Other than the installation costs, the total price point of both connections depends on other factors too. These include:
- The provider you choose.
- Contract length of your internet connection. With a long-term contract comes discounts and a waiver of the installation or maintenance costs.
- Extent of underground digging required. If more digging is involved, the price point will be higher and vice versa.
- The speed of your connection. Like, a 100Mbps internet connection has the minimum price point of £195 per month, while a 10Gbps internet connection can cost you £800 each month.
- Type of location.
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs). Providers who offer premium SLAs associate more risk with the service, so they mostly come with expensive leased lines options like a full-fubre connection.
5. Users of EoFTTC and leased lines
Now that we’ve discussed most of the differences, let’s look at the types of users who typically choose EoFTTC or leased lines based on their speed needs.
Users of EoFTTC (Ethernet over Fibre to the Cabinet):
EoFTTC is great for companies that need better speed than a landline connection but cannot invest in the higher cost of a full fibre leased line. For example, a marketing agency based in the UK that consists of 5-10 employees.
Users of Leased Lines:
Leased lines are typically used by medium to large businesses that have complicated internet demands. For example, a leased line connection would be preferred by a software house based in the UK that requires sharing massive coding files over the internet. Their need for high upload speed is met by leased lines.
You might also be interested in reading our article on leased line vs FTTP as well.
How do you choose the right option for your business?
The first and most critical step before choosing the right internet option for your business is to consider your budget. It is important to consider how much you can spend to make the service worthwhile for your business. Next, you need to evaluate your specific business needs. Does your business deal mostly with downloading data or uploading it?
Lastly, you also need to consider the installation time. If you don’t mind waiting for a while before the service starts running, then you should go for a leased line connection. But if you are short on time and need a quick solution, EoFTTC might be better.
Let ComparedBusiness UK help you find the best leased lines provider for your business today
Working with a reliable service provider is every business’s priority. That is why ComparedBusiness UK is here to help you link with the top reliable 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.
FAQs
For a small business with high data demands or critical reliance on internet access, leased lines can be worth the cost due to their dedicated bandwidth and high reliability. However, if the needs are moderate, you should look at cost-effective options like EOFTTC.
Yes, businesses can transition from EOFTTC to a leased line as their data and performance needs grow. Not every provider in the UK will offer this service, but it’s possible.
