We often get asked what is the difference between broadband and dedicated internet access. A service delivered over copper may cost around £30 per month where as a dedicated internet access may cost 10 time that price.
On the face of it some can offer similar speeds, but there are various factors to consider around upload and download speeds, if speeds are guaranteed, if bandwidth is shared or exclusive use, SLA and fix times.
There are variations, however table below offers a guide to how 3 typical types of “fixed line” internet connections differ, to give you a basic overview.
Feature/Benefit | SOGEA Superfast Fibre | FTTP Full Fibre Broadband | Dedicated Internet Access Leased Line |
Download Speed | Up to 80Mbps | Up to 1Gbps, Options normally 100, 150, 300, 500, 900Mbps) | Up to 10Gbps on 10Gb bearer.
Up to 1Gb on 1Gb bearer |
Upload Speed | Up to 20Mbps | Up to 100Mbps | Up to 10Gbps on 10Gb bearer.
Up to 1Gb on 1Gb bearer |
Symmetrical Speeds | No | Yes | Yes |
Guaranteed Speeds | No | Yes but often lower than the advertised headline speed – with a guaranteed throughput | Yes – Guaranteed symmetrical speeds, you get what you pay for |
Technology Used | Copper from cabinet to premises | Full fibre to the premises | Ethernet Access Direct Fibre |
Service Level Agreement (SLA) | Limited or no SLA | Generally strong SLA, but varies by provider | Strong SLA with 100% uptime guarantee and 5-hour fix time |
Bandwidth Sharing | Shared bandwidth | Shared bandwidth, but higher capacity | 100% un contended, dedicated service |
Reliability | Variable reliability | High reliability | High reliability |
Scalability | Very limited scalability up to 76Mbps | Medium Scalability up to 900Mbps | Highly scalable (30Mbps to 10Gbps) |
Typical Use Cases | Small businesses, home offices | Small to Medium businesses, tech-savvy homes | Large businesses, cloud applications, VoIP |
Price | Generally lower cost from £36 – £87 per month | Mid-range cost, generally from £43 – £136 pm | Generally starting from £250 pm upwards depending on speed, distance to premises and resilience requirements |
Installation Time | Quicker installation typically 10 working days | Moderate installation time typically 20 working days | Longer installation process typically 45 working days upwards |
Security Features | Basic security features | Basic security features | Advanced security options available |
Future-Proof | No | Yes to a degree | Yes |
Summary
SOGEA / Superfast Fibre is the replacement for FTTC (fibre to the cabinet), it uses copper from the street cabinet to the premises. It’s a cost-effective solution for small businesses and home offices, offering speeds up to 80Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. However, it’s not as reliable or future-proof as the other options.
FTTP / Full Fibre Broadband uses full fibre to the premises, providing symmetrical speeds up to 1Gbps. It offers high reliability and is future-proof, making it suitable for medium to large businesses and tech-savvy homes.
Dedicated Internet Access Leased Line’s such as BTnet uses Ethernet Access Direct Fibre, providing a dedicated, un contended service with symmetrical speeds up to 10Gbps. It offers the highest level of performance and reliability, with a strong SLA and guaranteed symmetrical speeds. While it’s more expensive it’s ideal for larger businesses or those with critical internet needs.
Which do we need?
The choice between these options depends on your specific needs, budget, and the criticality of your internet usage. SOGEA may be best for infrequent use, less demanding environments where cost is a primary concern. FTTP should be chosen where available as is more future proof and offers a good balance of performance and cost for many businesses. A DIA like BTnet is the premium choice for businesses requiring guaranteed performance and reliability.
Want to talk?
If you’d like to discuss connectivity for your organisation please get in touch with us via our contact page.