In today’s world, there’s no argument over the need for a fast internet connection in every household and workplace. Though there is no right or wrong answer, there exists a debate as to which is ideal—leased line or broadband connections.
New technologies have aided service providers in reducing plan rates and providing organisations and households with multiple options based on their internet connectivity requirements. While the more common broadband service is a shared Internet connection, the leased line is dedicated to the organisation that has subscribed to the service. A leased line connection provides higher speed without a loss in service quality during peak usage times, unlike a broadband connection where the speed can be compromised by the use of multiple contenders.
Difference between Internet Leased Line (ILL) and Broadband connection
We will discuss some major differences between leased lines and broadband that act as deciding factors in making a selection between the two options.
Technology
The most significant difference between the two types of connections is the technology used to connect the internet to the user. In order to establish a broadband connection, connections will be supplied to a cabinet, from which the fibre/cable will travel to your home or company.
A leased line, on the other hand, bypasses the intermediary cabinet and connects directly to your house or business. Unlike broadband, where the connection is shared among many users (contenders), resulting in slowdowns, a leased line is dedicated to a single user and is not shared with any other users, ensuring that speed remains constant.
The service provider company configures and administers the router delivered as part of the leased line plan. Through a bearer circuit, users can conveniently adjust the bandwidth to meet changing business needs. Another advantage of leased lines is the ability to use one or more permanent IP addresses to facilitate customised business programmes, web and email servers, and other software systems.
Price factor
Because leased lines are dedicated connections, they naturally cost more than a broadband internet connection. However, the user must evaluate the price difference with the variation in the quality of services (QoS) and determine whether such quality is required at the plan price. Broadband is typically sufficient for houses, but organisations with relatively more users—say 20 or more—require high bandwidth and speed.
Furthermore, when deciding between a broadband or leased line connection, it is important to consider the contractual clauses, particularly the contract term. A leased line internet connection typically binds the user for a longer period of time than a broadband connection.
Data Speed
A regular broadband connection, compared with a leased line, is more likely to provide faster and stable connection speed. While download and upload speeds are symmetric on leased lines, download speed is faster than upload speed, i.e. symmetric on broadband. In a corporate environment, faster upload speed is crucial, especially for backups and cloud storage.
Because fibre broadband is not a dedicated connection, it is shared with other users. A leased line contract guarantees businesses uninterruptible download and upload speeds, unlike broadband that competes for internet speed and bandwidth with other users. Furthermore, broadband allows users to manage upload and download speeds as required by the business. Furthermore, the leased line allows users to operate seamlessly with video and voice-based applications.
Consistency
Leased lines contracts include Service Level Agreements by default, unlike the broadband connections. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) is a base level expectation from service providers specifying the actions the company will take in the eventuality of failure or deviation from the contractually committed service level.
A leased line SLA often includes a 99% uptime guarantee, promised bandwidth, and 24*7 technical support for troubleshooting. In addition, the SLA ensures that the service provider adheres to the leased line contract’s performance parameters, including jitter and latency.
Unlimited data
Another important feature of the leased line service is that it does not have a cap on Internet usage. Subscribers can consume as much data as they require. The low latency ratio guaranteed by the leased line plan is preferred by organisations that employ VoIP and mission-critical business applications.
How should you choose between a broadband connection and a leased line?
Although the leased line has certain advantages over broadband, the selection is not straightforward. Large enterprises that require a high-speed internet connection to operate business-critical apps and routinely access software systems remotely benefit significantly from a leased line. Subscribers who run multiple business applications simultaneously to exchange files, access emails, transfer data, and collaborate with clients or remote employees are more likely to opt for a leased line connection. On the other hand, a broadband connection will suffice for most houses and small businesses. Internet service providers like Airtel can assist you in selecting the appropriate plan for your needs and budget.
Alternatively, if your organisation requires a dedicated leased line with SLAs to ensure uninterrupted services of consistent quality, high upload speed, or large video and voice-based applications, leased lines should be considered. If you are a home user or small business with less than 20 users and are cost-conscious, broadband should be your preferred option. This is because it is less expensive, and most households do not require the advanced features offered by leased lines.
