The internet has become an essential part of modern life, and most of us rely on it for work, entertainment, and communication. However, with so many different types of fixed line internet access available, you might be wondering what are the different types of internet connections available, and which one is the best fit for your needs?

We often get asked about the differences between fixed line connections. In this blog post, we’ll explain differentiate between ADSL, FTTC, and FTTP broadband, along with Dedicated Internet Access aka Ethernet Leased Lines, and why you might choose one type over another.

*** Please note, for broadband services where FTTP is available, Openreach suggest this is the service that is installed wherever possible rather than a copper based service. This provides future proofing and improved speeds compared to copper delivered offerings. The price points for lower speed FTTP are often similar to copper based ADSL, FTTC and SOGEA services anyway so makes more sense to choose this if available. ***

In lay persons terms

As a general rule of thumb, the the faster you can go, and the less restriction = a more reliable but more expensive service. We like to use the traffic analogy on the roads. Congestion is when you get multiple users all battling through. Traffic may still move, but much slower than if the roads are empty.

B roads = you can drive slow on these and when it gets busy you notice the congestion

(similar to ADSL broadband)

A roads = you can go faster than B roads, but still get congested at busy times

(similar to FTTC/SOGEA broadband)

Motorways = these allow you to travel much faster and are less prone to congestion, but can sometimes slow down

(similar to FTTP broadband)

A private motorway = imagine the M6 toll and only you are allowed to use it. You’d get exclusive use which means you do not experience slow downs due to other traffic.

(like Dedicated Internet Access or Ethernet Leased Lines) however you tend to pay a premium for the privilege.

So what do these acronyms mean and why should you care? Well it all comes down to how much you rely on your connection, how many people are likely to need access at the same time, and if you want to pay for faster speeds and higher SLA.

ADSL

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is a type of broadband that uses your existing phone line to provide a connection. It’s called “asymmetric” because the download speed is faster than the upload speed. ADSL works by splitting your phone line into two channels, one for voice calls and the other for data. This means you can use the internet and make phone calls at the same time. The maximum download speed for ADSL is around 24Mbps, and the maximum upload speed is around 1Mbps. This speed may be sufficient for basic web browsing and email but may not be fast enough for streaming video or downloading large files.

(Edit as of Sept 2023, ADSL no longer available due to “stop sell” of analogue lines.  SOADSL aka Single Order ADSL became the replacement digital only offering, that no longer had the analogue voice line elememt)

FTTC 

FTTC (Fibre To The Cabinet) is a type of broadband that uses a mix of copper phone lines and fibre-optic cables to connect your home, local street cabinet and telephone exchange. The fibre-optic cable runs from the exchange to the cabinet, and then a copper cable connects the cabinet to your home. FTTC is faster than ADSL and can provide download speeds of up to 80Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps. However, the actual speeds you receive will depend on the distance between your home and the street cabinet. There is also a faster variant called GFAST which uses the same technology but can provide speeds of up to 300Mbps typically, but this is not as widely available.

With 2025 in mind ie the closure of the PSTN network – analogue voice services are being withdrawn so lines that carry analogue telephony as well as internet connections such as above are being phased out. You might find that when placing a broadband order from now you are offered SOGEA or FTTP delivery depending on what is available to you locally.

SOGEA

SOGEA stands for Single Order Generic Ethernet Access. In essence it is essentially the same as FTTC but without the analogue voice part. It enables providers to order broadband without a phone line meaning we can still make use of copper lines for service but in an all IP digital way instead of analogue, breathing extended life into copper networks and giving reliable connectivity to areas not yet on full fibre rollout plans.

FTTP aka FULL FIBRE

FTTP (fibre To The Premises), also known as “full-fibre broadband,” is the fastest type of broadband available. With FTTP, a fibre-optic cable runs directly from the exchange to your home/office bypassing the street cabinet.

At the moment FTTP can provide download speeds of up to 1Gbps (1000Mbps) and upload speeds of up to 220Mbps (often 900Mb down and 100Mbps up in a retail offering). This type of broadband is ideal for heavy internet users, such as gamers, people who work from home and small businesses where a leased line may be too expensive. The downside of FTTP is that it’s not available in all areas, and it can be expensive to install especially in FTTPoD (Fibre To The Premises On Demand) situations where a customer who is not naturally in an enabled area can pay to have a fibre installed. This is distance dependent and tends to be more expensive than the normal retail FTTP offerings.  However, as the requirement for faster internet speeds increases, more providers are investing in fibre-optic infrastructure, and FTTP is becoming more widely available.

All of the services mentioned before this point are contended, ie the bandwidth and or infrastructure is on a shared platform which keeps costs down. For use cases where you need guaranteed speeds and much higher SLA’s you should probably look at a Dedicated Internet Access.

(Update Edit – You may sometimes see 1Gb capable FTTP services mentioning GPON (Gigabit Passive Optical Network) or XGSPON (10Gbps Symmetrical Passive Optical Network). This is where a single fibre provides service and uses an optical splitter to serve multiple endpoints/customers (often up to 32).

Ethernet Leased Line / Dedicated Internet Access (DIA)

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) or Ethernet Leased Line, is a premium internet service type that provides a dedicated and symmetrical bandwidth connection between the customer’s premises and the internet service provider’s (ISP) data centre. This type of internet connectivity is normally un-contended – and commonly used for large businesses and organisations that require high-speed internet with guaranteed service level agreements (SLAs).

One of the main differences between FTTP broadband and Ethernet Leased Line is the speed and reliability of the internet connection. Ethernet Leased Line provides a dedicated and symmetrical bandwidth connection, which means that the upload and download speeds are the same and are guaranteed by the SLA. This type of internet connectivity is ideal for businesses that require high-speed internet for video conferencing, cloud-based applications, and other bandwidth-intensive tasks.

This type of service is not shared and is dedicated connectivity unlike FTTP.

DIA Vs FTTP

FTTP broadband offers high-speed internet connectivity, but it is not dedicated. The speed and reliability of the internet connection can be affected by factors such as network congestion, contention, and distance from the exchange. This type of broadband is suitable for residential and small businesses that require fast yet basic internet connectivity needs, but where uptime and performance is not mission critical.

Another key difference is the cost. Ethernet Leased Lines or DIA is a premium service that provides a dedicated and guaranteed bandwidth connection. As a result, are normally significantly more expensive than FTTP broadband. Businesses that require high-speed and reliable internet connectivity with guaranteed SLAs are willing to pay the premium price for Ethernet Leased Line.

In summary, forADSL, FTTC, and FTTP are all types of broadband that are relatively low cost, with varying speeds and availability.

ADSL/SoADSL is the slowest and most widely available, FTTC/SoGEA is faster than ADSL but can be limited by distance, and FTTP is the fastest but not yet available everywhere.

Ethernet Leased Lines or Dedicated Internet Access are designed to accommodate more users at a singe site at the same time. They are symmetrical sohave the same upload and download speeds and where speeds and uptimes are critical to business operations, however a premium is paid for this privilege as it is for your businesses exclusive dedicated use.

Considerations

When choosing an internet connection, it’s essential to consider your usage needs, location, and budget to find the best option for your organisation. 

If you’d like to discuss anything please feel free to contact us. We would be more than happy to have a chat.