Imagine trying to juggle operations while your connection lags behind. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Whether it’s missing deadlines or losing customers, unreliable speeds can cost you more than time. But here’s the good news: options like EOFTTC are becoming popular in the UK, and so are leased lines.
In this guide, we’ll break down the EOFTTC vs leased line debate by deciphering their differences and characteristics. Let’s begin.
What is EOFTTTC?
Ethernet over fibre to the cabinet is a hybrid internet solution designed to balance performance and cost for medium-sized businesses. How does it work?
EOFTTC leverages fibre optic cables to transmit data to a street-level cabinet. From there, copper wiring connects your premises to the cabinet. This combination means the connection is an upgrade of standard broadband. It delivers high speeds and improved reliability, though it doesn’t match the performance of a full-fibre leased line.
According to industry reports, EOFTTC connections can provide download speeds up to 3 times faster than traditional ADSL broadband.
What is a leased line?
A leased line is the gold standard of internet access. It offers businesses a dedicated bandwidth that ensures consistent speed and reliability. The connection between your business premises and the internet service provider’s (ISP) data centre is direct. Also, it skips the limitation of copper wiring used in other options and relies entirely on fibre optics for superior performance.
A leased line connection is ideal for businesses that can’t compromise on internet performance, like IT firms and financial institutions.
A recent report from EEF shows that 62% of UK companies plan to dedicate a greater percentage of their budget to internet-connected equipment, with many shifting to leased lines.
EOFTTC vs leased line: key differences
Let’s now look at how EOFTTC connections and leased lines differ.
1. Bandwidth
EOFTTC offers shared bandwidth. Meaning? Your internet access can fluctuate depending on network traffic. The more traffic there is, the less speed there will be. It’s reliable for moderate use but can slow during peak hours.
In contrast, leased lines offer dedicated bandwidth, ensuring consistent speeds at all times. This makes it great for businesses with high data demands.
2. Nature of the connection
One of the biggest benefits of a leased line is that it provides symmetrical bandwidth, meaning download and upload speeds are equal – a must-have for businesses uploading large files regularly.
EOFTTC typically offers asymmetrical speeds, where downloads are faster than uploads. This makes it less suitable for tasks like frequent uploading and sharing of large files.
3. Reliability & service level agreements
When it comes to reliability, leased lines are the clear winner because they guarantee uptime and rapid fault restoration through SLAs. This means that if a connection issue arises, the provider is contractually obligated to resolve it within a set timeframe.
In comparison. EOFTTC connections provide decent reliability but lack the airtight guarantees that leased lines offer. If any issue arises, they first have to identify the faulty line since it’s a shared connection, then find the fault and finally resolve it. And since they don’t have strict SLAs, you can’t be assured of the issue resolution time.
An article by Connect2, published in 2023, reported that leased line connections were a part of 39% of the businesses in the UK.
4. Installation time
EOFTTC is quicker to install than a standard leased line since it uses existing copper wiring from the street cabinet to your premises.
Leased lines, on the other hand, require the installation of a dedicated line, leading to longer setup times. It can take anywhere from 30-90 days to lay a leased line connection.
5. Cost-effectiveness
Another big difference in the EOFTTC vs leased line debate is the price.
EOFTTC connections are significantly more affordable. This makes them ideal for small businesses and startups looking for reliable internet access without breaking the bank. Have £90/month in mind for a decent speed line in the UK.
But what happens when your business starts growing and your internet needs demand more reliability and speed?
Leased line costs may be high, but they offer unmatched value by delivering dedicated bandwidth, symmetrical speeds and near-perfect uptime. A 100Mbps line would cost around £185-270. The initial investment may seem steep, but consider this: how much does downtime cost your business?
6. Contention ratio
Leased lines have no contention ratio, which means your business isn’t competing with others for bandwidth. EOFTTC, being a shared network, can experience slowdowns during busy periods. This affects the performance.
Summary: EOFTTC vs leased lines
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You might also be interested in reading our article on leased line vs FTTP as well.
Which option is right for your business?
Choosing between an EOFTTC connection and a leased line can feel like deciding between a trusty car and a high-performance sports car. But don’t worry. Let’s break it down to help you.
1. Consider your budget
If cost is your primary concern, EOFTTC offers a more cost-effective solution.
2. Evaluate your business needs
Smaller businesses with moderate data requirements, like email and light browsing, may fin EOFTTC sufficient. On the other hand, larger organisations with critical online functions will benefit from the dedicated connection of leased lines.
3. Access your growth plan
Do you anticipate significant growth in the next few years? A leased line is highly scalable, allowing you to upgrade speeds as your business expands. EOFTTC, while suitable for smaller operations, might struggle to keep pace with your growing demand.
4. Factor in installation time
For businesses needing a quick setup, EOFTTC is quicker to install than a standard leased line. Leased lines require a longer install time.
5. Weigh the importance of speed and reliability
If upload and download speeds or zero interruptions are mission-critical, the symmetrical bandwidth of leased lines is unmatched. However, if your business is less internet-intensive, you can find value in EOFTTC.
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While both use copper wiring for the last mile, EOFTTC provides better speeds and reliability with lower contention ratios compared to FTTC (Fibre to the cabinet). EOFTTC also offers business-grade features like prioritisation over residential traffic.
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.
