Leased lines are known for providing fast, secure, and dedicated internet access. But with the rising costs of connectivity, some UK businesses are asking: Can you share a leased line?
In our guide, we explore the reality of shared leased line UK options, explain how business network sharing leased line setups work, and compare leased line vs WAN solutions — helping you decide if sharing makes sense for your company in 2025.
What is a Leased Line?
A leased line is a private, uncontended connection that provides symmetrical upload and download speeds and is typically:
- Dedicated to one customer
- Guaranteed by strong SLAs (Service Level Agreements)
- Fully symmetrical (equal upload/download)
- 1:1 contention ratio (no shared traffic)
Standard leased lines are not designed for sharing between unrelated businesses, but there are solutions for controlled sharing across multiple sites or locations of the same company.
Can You Share a Leased Line?
Yes — but only in specific ways.
You can’t simply split a leased line between two different companies for cost savings (unless agreed contractually with the provider) – however, businesses with multiple offices can share a leased line through technologies like MPLS and WAN networks.
Common Sharing Methods
| Method | Description | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) | Creates a private, secure network between multiple sites over leased lines | Retail chains, multi-branch businesses |
| WAN (Wide Area Network) | Links several offices into one shared corporate network | Medium to large organisations |
| VLAN (Virtual LAN) | Separates traffic within a leased line connection | Large buildings, office campuses |
Important: All these methods are for businesses sharing between their own sites, not unrelated external businesses.
Pros of Sharing a Leased Line
- Cost efficiency: Share one connection across multiple offices rather than buying separate leased lines.
- Simplified IT management: Centralised monitoring, security, and updates.
- Flexible bandwidth allocation: Prioritise traffic between critical branches.
- Enhanced security: Private WANs or MPLS solutions offer stronger data protection than public internet.
- Better collaboration: Teams across multiple sites can communicate as if they are on the same network.
Cons of Sharing a Leased Line
- Complex setup: MPLS and WAN networks require careful planning and expert configuration.
- Higher initial costs: Setup fees for MPLS or WAN architecture can be expensive.
- Potential bottlenecks: If not properly provisioned, high usage at one site can impact others.
- Limited scalability: Adding new locations later can involve additional costs and complexity.
Leased Line vs WAN: Which is Right for Your Business?
| Feature | Leased Line (Standalone) | Shared WAN/MPLS Setup |
| Best for | Single office/location | Multiple offices/branches |
| Cost per Site | Higher | Lower (amortised over sites) |
| Setup Complexity | Low | High |
| Security | Very High (dedicated) | Very High (private network) |
| Flexibility for Expansion | Moderate | High (new sites can be added) |
Our verdict:
- Single site: Stick with a dedicated leased line.
- Multi-site: Consider WAN or MPLS for shared leased line usage.
Top UK Providers Offering Multi-Site Leased Line and WAN Solutions (2025)
| Provider | MPLS/WAN Options | Ideal For | Starting Monthly Cost* |
| Yes | Enterprises, retail chains | From £450/site |
| Yes | Multi-office SMEs, large corporates | From ¤400/site |
| Yes | Growing businesses, SD-WAN focus | From ¤450/site |
| Yes | SMEs with 2-20 sites | From ¤350/site |
| Yes (regional) | Urban businesses expanding fast | Varies |
Important Considerations Before Sharing a Leased Line
- Bandwidth planning: Ensure enough bandwidth for all sites and applications.
- Resilience: Install backup links for mission-critical locations.
- Network security: Enforce strict VPN, firewall, and encryption policies.
- SLAs: Confirm end-to-end service levels for the entire network.
- Provider experience: Choose suppliers experienced with WAN and MPLS projects.
FAQs About Can You Share a Leased Line
Q: Can two completely unrelated businesses share a leased line?
A: Typically no, unless you operate in a shared office building offering a managed service from the landlord or an ISP.
Q: Is SD-WAN better than MPLS?
A: SD-WAN is cheaper and more flexible, but MPLS offers higher security and better Quality of Service (QoS).
Q: Does sharing a leased line slow it down?
A: Only if the combined traffic exceeds available bandwidth. Proper planning prevents this.
Conclusion – Can You Share a Leased Line?
We think that sharing a leased line makes excellent sense for businesses with multiple locations needing secure, reliable communication and solutions like MPLS and WAN enable efficient business network sharing leased line setups without compromising speed, security, or performance.
However, sharing with unrelated businesses is generally not recommended (and often not permitted by providers!)So, understanding the difference between leased line vs WAN solutions is key to building a scalable, future-proof network that supports growth without excessive costs.