Is a Small Business Leased Line Worth It?

If you run a small business in the UK, chances are you’ve come across the term leased line while exploring business broadband options.

But you’ve probably also asked yourself, is a small business leased line worth it?

Join us as we break down the pros and cons, typical use cases, and real-world ROI to help you decide if a leased line is a smart move for your business in 2025!

📡 What Is a Leased Line?

A leased line is a high-speed internet connection that runs directly from your service provider to your business premises, so is dedicated to you and you alone, and not shared with any other users in your area. This means no contention, slowdowns, and symmetrical speeds (same upload and download rates).

🏢 Small Business Leased Line – Are Leased Lines Just for Big Companies?

Not anymore! While leased lines were once reserved for large corporations, we’ve seen that the technology has become much more accessible and affordable for small businesses in the UK, and now, more than ever, SMEs than ever are adopting leased lines to support:

• Remote working
• VoIP phone systems
• Cloud-based software (e.g., Xero, Salesforce, Google Workspace)
• E-commerce platforms
• High-definition video calls and webinars

⚖️ Leased Line Pros and Cons for Small Businesses

Let’s weigh the benefits and potential drawbacks.

✅ Pros

• No sharing, even during peak hours with your dedicated bandwidth
• Symmetrical speeds which are ideal for cloud backups, file transfers, and video conferencing
• Guaranteed reliability with SLAs, giving you compensation for outages
• Smooth VoIP and real-time apps thanks to ultra low-latency
• You can start at 100Mbps and upgrade to 1Gbps or more as you grow

❌ Cons

• Monthly fees from £180–£500+ depending on speed and location
• Installation typically takes 30–90 days compared to broadband’s 1–2 weeks
• You might not need them if you don’t use the internet that heavily.

💷 Leased Line Pricing for Small Businesses in 2025

Be sure to check if you qualify for the Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme, which can reduce installation costs by up to £2,500.

💡 When Is a Leased Line Worth It?

A leased line delivers outstanding value for money if your business relies on internet connectivity to operate smoothly, so we suggest you consider it if you:

• Have five or more staff using cloud software daily
• Run a VoIP phone system
• Regularly upload or transfer very big files
• You experience broadband dropouts or performance issues
• Operate in a shared office where standard broadband slows at peak times

📈 Real-World ROI Examples

🔹 A Small Law Firm (10 employees)

Switched to a leased line to ensure VoIP reliability and uninterrupted access to cloud case management systems—result: 30% fewer missed calls, faster client service, and improved staff satisfaction.

🔹 E-Commerce Startup (Team of 6)

I needed stable upload speeds to handle daily data syncing with fulfilment platforms, and after installing a 500Mbps leased line, I reduced order processing times by 40%.

🔹 Marketing Agency (8-person hybrid team)

Frequent video calls and large file transfers required consistency. With symmetrical speeds, the team experienced zero downtime and cut editing collaboration delays by half.

🧾 What to Ask Before You Commit to a Small Business Leased Line

Before signing a contract, make sure you:

• Get a fully itemised quote, including ECCs (excess construction charges)
• Understand the SLA (fix times, compensation, support availability)
• Check installation lead time (usually 30–90 days)
• Ask about scalability if your business grows
• Enquire about vouchers or discounts available in your area

✅ So, Is a Small Business Leased Line Worth it?

We think that a leased line is a reliable, future-proof investment for small businesses that depend on digital tools and while the upfront cost is higher than traditional broadband, the performance, uptime, and scalability can quickly pay for themselves in improved efficiency, customer experience, and peace of mind for your business.