A BTnet Leased Line offers unrivalled speed, bandwidth, and reliability, which makes the service a good choice for businesses that rely heavily on internet connectivity.
With one of the best Service Level Agreements (SLA) across all leased line providers, businesses experience high uptime with single circuits or even improved uptime with dual resilient, diverse circuits.
Why Choose BTnet?
BTnet is typically chosen by SMEs and large Global Enterprise businesses because of three main value-add areas:
- The BTnet Service Level Agreement
- Cybersecurity partnerships with Cisco Meraki and Fortinet
- UK, European, and BT Global Services IP Backbone
- No 1 rating by Netcraft
- Brand recognition and trust
| Reason | Detail | Business Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| BTnet Service Level Agreement | Guarantees across uptime, network performance, fix times, and delivery with money-back credits | Financial compensation if targets are missed; 5-hour fix time |
| Cybersecurity partnerships | Cisco Meraki and Fortinet – threat protection, virus scanning, firewall, web filtering, and WiFi | Integrated security managed via BT-provided web portal without third-party procurement |
| BT IP Backbone | UK, European, and BT Global Services network – traffic stays on a single network with fewer hops | Better Cloud, Voice, and Video application performance |
| Netcraft No 1 rating | Recognised as the No 1 leased line provider by Netcraft | Independent validation of network performance |
| Brand recognition and trust | BT brand with Gartner Magic Quadrant recognition for the Global IP network | Confidence for procurement and stakeholder sign-off |
We’ll discuss the BT Leased Line SLA in more detail within this article, but in short, the SLA provides guarantees across uptime, network performance, fix times, and delivery.
BT’s partnership with Meraki and Fortinet offers much-needed threat protection, virus scanning, Firewall, and web filtering. In addition, choosing Meraki means your business is also provided with strong WiFi performance which is easily managed and monitored using the BT-provided web portal.
Perhaps one of the overlooked areas when customers consider BTnet is the backbone coverage (i.e., their IP network). The majority of your traffic will remain on the BT backbone, which results in better network performance because traffic does not need to traverse multiple hops (or rather, multiple networks). The result is simply better Cloud application performance, especially for Voice or Video and any application which requires fast responses.
Netcraft is recognised as the No 1 leased line provider, which provides further confidence across capability especially when combined with the overall BT brand recognition.
Bandwidth Comparison with Broadband
BTnet Leased Lines offer a speed advantage when compared to traditional broadband connections. Although FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) is capable of matching download speeds up to 900Mbps, the upload bandwidth is much lower. With BT Leased Lines, bandwidth is symmetrical so you’ll receive the same upload and download performance.
| Attribute | FTTP Broadband | BTnet Leased Line |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum download speed | Up to 900Mbps | Up to 10Gbps |
| Maximum upload speed | Much lower than download | Symmetrical – same as download speed |
| Bandwidth type | Asymmetrical (download faster than upload) | Symmetrical (equal upload and download) |
| Infrastructure | Shared (contended with other users) | Dedicated (uncontended, single customer) |
| Circuit bearer sizes available | N/A | Up to 1Gbps and 10Gbps bearers |
| SLA-backed performance guarantees | Typically not included | Yes – uptime, latency, jitter, fix times guaranteed with service credits |
| Network performance (latency, jitter, packet loss) | Variable – affected by contention and shared infrastructure | Improved – dedicated circuit eliminates contention |
The maximum upload/download speed achievable on a BTnet circuit depends on the circuit bearer. BTnet offers circuit sizes of up to 10Gbps, which in turn determine the service bandwidth (or port speed) and ultimately the service speed on offer.
Overall, BT’s BTnet Leased Line delivers an improved internet connection experience, with greater bandwidth flexibility and symmetrical upload and download speeds. These features make it an attractive option for businesses looking to upgrade from traditional broadband.
Cost and Pricing
When pricing BTnet, customers need to consider their options as follows:
- The BTnet edge device – you can choose from standard Cisco routers, Meraki, or Fortinet edge devices with Cybersecurity options.
- Bandwidth – all circuits are now delivered on 1Gbps circuits (10Gbps is available) with the initial tier starting at 100Mbps.
- Resilience and diversity – BTnet can be architected with no single point of failure by using 2 diversely routed Openreach circuits which are designed with complete separation (subject to survey).
| Contract Term | Bandwidth | Router | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 years | 100Mbps | Cisco 800Mb router | £325 |
| 5 years | 1Gbps | Cisco up to 1Gb router | £495 |
| 3 years | 500Mbps | Cisco Meraki 1Gb router | £535 |
| 5 years | 500Mbps | Cisco Meraki 1Gb router | £470 |
| Cost Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edge device choice | Standard Cisco routers, Cisco Meraki, or Fortinet – each with different cybersecurity capabilities and price points |
| Bandwidth tier | Circuits delivered on 1Gbps bearers (10Gbps available), starting from 100Mbps |
| Resilience and diversity | Optional dual diversely routed Openreach circuits for no single point of failure (subject to survey) |
| Excess construction charges (ECC) | Openreach currently covers the first £2,800 of excess charges; additional costs depend on site survey results |
| Contract term impact | Longer terms (e.g. 5 years vs 3 years) typically reduce the monthly cost |
| Installation costs | Vary depending on site survey; must be factored into total cost of ownership |
For standard pricing examples, The Network Union BT Partnership is able to provide a 3-year contract term with a bandwidth of 100Mbps using a Cisco 800Mb router; the monthly cost is £325.
Similarly, for a 5-year contract term with a bandwidth of 1Gbps using a Cisco up to 1Gb router, the monthly cost is £495.
In addition to the Cisco routers, BTnet Leased Line also provides options for Cisco Meraki routers. For example, a 3-year contract with 500 Mbps bandwidth using a Cisco Meraki 1Gb router is priced at £535 per month. As a comparison, the same bandwidth and router option for a 5-year contract is priced slightly lower at £470 per month.
It is essential to factor in any potential installation costs when considering the leased line total cost of ownership. These costs may vary depending on whether the site survey results require additional excess construction charges. Openreach currently covers the first £2800 of excess charges.
BTnet Leased Line Failover Options: Protection against unforeseen circuit breaks with a second circuit option
Where maximum uptime is a must-have feature, BT offers a number of options to create an architecture which includes no single point of failure.
Failover: This feature activates if the main circuit fails, providing continuous connectivity. Openreach delivers a second circuit that takes over when the primary circuit fails, which allows businesses to maintain connectivity in the event of an issue with the primary circuit.
Load Balancing: With this option, both circuits are active and traffic is load balanced evenly across both circuits. If one circuit fails, the other takes the full load, which ensures that businesses can maintain their connectivity without disruption.
| Failover Mode | How It Works | Both Circuits Active? | What Happens on Failure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failover (active/standby) | Second Openreach circuit activates automatically if the primary circuit fails | No – standby circuit activates on failure only | Standby takes over; continuous connectivity maintained |
| Load Balancing (active/active) | Traffic is distributed evenly across both circuits at all times | Yes – both circuits carry traffic simultaneously | Surviving circuit takes the full load without disruption |
BT’s BTnet Leased Line also provides Five Ways to Strengthen Connection for added resilience:
- Backup Equipment: BT sets up two devices for each circuit with two connection points providing redundancy in case one device fails or is accidentally disconnected.
- Diverse Routing: The two circuits enter the building via different routes which offers added protection against potential breaks in the line.
- Exchange Resilience: Circuits originate in different exchanges to protect against rare exchange failures that could affect connectivity.
- Site Diversity: Circuits can be taken into different office buildings sharing a local network, offering added resilience in case a single building experiences an issue.
- Core Networking Routing Diversity: Circuits are kept separate within BT’s core network to ensure optimal resilience and protection.
| # | Resilience Layer | What BT Provides | What It Protects Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Backup Equipment | Two devices per circuit with two connection points | Device failure or accidental disconnection |
| 2 | Diverse Routing | Two circuits enter the building via different physical routes | Cable breaks or damage to a single entry path |
| 3 | Exchange Resilience | Circuits originate from different BT exchanges | Rare exchange failure affecting connectivity |
| 4 | Site Diversity | Circuits taken into different office buildings sharing a local network | Single building outage (fire, flood, power loss) |
| 5 | Core Networking Routing Diversity | Circuits kept separate within BT’s core network | Core network path failure |
By offering a range of failover options, BT’s BTnet Leased Line ensures that businesses can maintain a reliable and resilient internet connection even when the primary circuit suffers a complete outage.
BT RO2 (Resilience Option 2), formerly known as RAO2 (Resilient Access Option 2), is BT’s solution for providing BTnet leased line circuit diversity.
Where possible, Openreach will utilise dual building entry points, but many structures, especially listed ones, offer only one entry.
Tail circuits, extending from the building to the BT Exchange, benefit from the use of dual Exchanges for enhanced resilience. However, shared cable ducts can pose challenges, sometimes necessitating innovative solutions which include overhead fibre options from Openreach.
The primary objective of BT RO2 is to eliminate any single point of failure from the customer’s premises to the edge of BT’s network. True 100% uptime cannot be assured without an initial site survey.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | BT RO2 (Resilience Option 2), formerly RAO2 (Resilient Access Option 2) |
| Purpose | Eliminate any single point of failure from customer premises to the edge of BT’s network |
| Building entry | Dual building entry points used where possible; some structures (especially listed buildings) offer only one entry |
| Exchange diversity | Tail circuits benefit from dual BT Exchanges for enhanced resilience |
| Known challenges | Shared cable ducts may require innovative solutions including overhead fibre from Openreach |
| 100% uptime guarantee caveat | True 100% uptime cannot be assured without an initial site survey |
Choosing BTnet Leased Line Cybersecurity options
BTnet Leased Line offers enhanced security with their Cisco Meraki solutions.
BTnet Meraki Firewall capability
The BTnet Meraki cloud-based management capabilities enable automation features, real-time monitoring, and scheduled updates to ensure company-wide security policies are upheld.
The BTnet and Meraki solution provides Layer 7 traffic classification and control, analysing network traffic through advanced fingerprinting and categorising each flow for enforcement based on access control policies. BTnet with Meraki firewalls includes both wired and wireless firewalls and is renowned for exceptional security features and capabilities.
BTnet Meraki firewalls are 100% cloud-managed with Layer 7 application visibility, advanced traffic shaping, identity-based policies, web caching, and auto VPN self-configuration. Technical specifications include a stateful firewall throughput ranging from 250Mbps to 6Gbps VPN throughput suitable for a wide range of clients and advanced security throughput up to 4Gbps.
The Meraki MX series also supports dual-band channels, 1G/10G fiber and copper interfaces with geo-based IP firewalls. BTnet customers are able to buy BT SD-WAN which enables the Meraki MX to manage multiple hub locations with distributed branches and campuses, allowing for cloud security management from a singular location.
The zero-touch management feature ensures that all Meraki firewall models can be remotely installed, configured, and managed, which reduces the need for physical interventions to further protect against security risks.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Management model | 100% cloud-managed |
| Traffic classification | Layer 7 application visibility with advanced fingerprinting |
| Stateful firewall throughput | 250Mbps to 6Gbps |
| VPN throughput | Up to 6Gbps |
| Advanced security throughput | Up to 4Gbps |
| Firewall types | Both wired and wireless firewalls |
| Interfaces | 1G/10G fibre and copper with dual-band channels |
| Key features | Advanced traffic shaping, identity-based policies, web caching, auto VPN self-configuration, geo-based IP firewalls |
| SD-WAN integration | BT SD-WAN enables Meraki MX to manage multiple hub locations with distributed branches and campuses from a single location |
| Deployment model | Zero-touch management – remotely installed, configured, and managed with no physical intervention required |
BTnet Meraki Threat Protection
BTnet leased lines with CISCO Meraki include advanced threat protection features which include the Sourcefire SNORT intrusion detection engine and AMP anti-malware technology depending on the licence (these features require Advanced).
The Advanced Malware Prevention (AMP) inspects HTTP file downloads, blocking or allowing based on threat intelligence from the AMP cloud. The system also provides options to deal with false positives, allowing administrators to whitelist specific URLs or files. Intrusion Detection and Prevention are key components which inspect all traffic between LAN and the internet and between VLANs.
There are three detection rulesets:
- Connectivity
- Balanced
- Security
| Feature | Technology | What It Does | Licence Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intrusion Detection | Sourcefire SNORT engine | Inspects all traffic between LAN and the internet and between VLANs | Advanced |
| Anti-malware | AMP (Advanced Malware Prevention) | Inspects HTTP file downloads; blocks or allows based on AMP cloud threat intelligence | Advanced |
| Intrusion Prevention | SNORT signatures | Automatically protects the network; administrators can specify protected networks and whitelist specific SNORT signatures | Advanced |
| False positive handling | AMP whitelist | Administrators can whitelist specific URLs or files to deal with false positives | Advanced |
| Security Reporting | BTnet Meraki portal | Visual representation of intrusion detection events categorised by signatures, networks, and clients | Advanced |
| Ruleset | Detection Level | Threats Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Baseline – minimal false positives, prioritises network availability | Known high-confidence threats |
| Balanced | Moderate – balances security coverage and network performance | Broader threat coverage including common malware |
| Security | Maximum – most comprehensive detection | Malware, SQL injections, exploit kit activities, and advanced threats |
These rulesets are designed to detect various threats, including malware, SQL injections, and exploit kit activities. For more on this, the NCSC provides excellent guidelines on malware protection.
BTnet Meraki supports intrusion prevention which automatically protects the network—administrators can also specify protected networks and whitelist specific SNORT signatures. A comprehensive Security Report is available via the BTnet Meraki portal which offers a visual representation of intrusion detection events, categorised by signatures, networks, and clients.
BTnet Meraki Web filtering
Meraki also offers Web Filtering – this feature enables organisations to block specific website categories based on their policies and also offers the flexibility to block or allow individual websites.
For example, while blocking the “Internet Communications” category, exceptions can be made for specific sites – gmail.com or facebook.com. Configurations for content filtering are accessible under Security & SD-WAN > Configure > Content filtering enabling you to block website categories, URL category list size, web search filtering, and restricted YouTube content.
Specific URL patterns can be blocked or allowed and the system supports IP addresses in these fields – BTnet Meraki also supports HTTPS filtering. Additionally, group policies can be applied based on Active Directory user groups which means you can configure tailored network experiences. The content filtering prioritises blocked and allowed URL patterns followed by group policy rules and then global content filtering rules.
This hierarchical structure ensures that specific URL exceptions override broader category-based rules, ensuring precise content control. This advanced content filtering is available exclusively with the Advanced Security Edition licensing.
| Capability | Detail | Licence Required |
|---|---|---|
| Category blocking | Block entire website categories with per-site exceptions (e.g. allow gmail.com within blocked “Internet Communications” category) | Advanced Security Edition |
| URL pattern filtering | Block or allow specific URL patterns; supports IP addresses | Advanced Security Edition |
| HTTPS filtering | Supported – filters encrypted web traffic | Advanced Security Edition |
| YouTube restriction | Restricted YouTube content filtering available | Advanced Security Edition |
| Web search filtering | Available via content filtering configuration | Advanced Security Edition |
| Active Directory integration | Group policies applied based on AD user groups for tailored network experiences | Advanced Security Edition |
| Configuration path | Security & SD-WAN > Configure > Content filtering | Advanced Security Edition |
| Priority | Rule Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (highest) | Blocked and allowed URL patterns | Specific URLs or IP addresses explicitly blocked or allowed – overrides all other rules |
| 2 | Group policy rules | Policies applied based on Active Directory user groups |
| 3 (lowest) | Global content filtering rules | Broad category-based blocking with site-level exceptions |
The BTnet SLA (Service Level Agreement)
The BTnet Leased Line SLA includes guarantees around service delivery and network performance with money-back credits provided as compensation if BT doesn’t meet these standards.
During the installation process, BT commits to delivering the service on or before the customer committed date (CCD) which is confirmed after a survey. In cases involving excess construction charges (ECC) or complex deliveries, a CCD might not be provided and an expected completion date (ECD) is given instead.
It’s important to note that these scenarios aren’t covered by the SLA. Service delivery is considered complete once the managed customer premises equipment (CPE) and the dedicated circuit connecting the site to BT’s network are provided.
If BT fails to meet the CCD, on-time delivery service credits are provided which reduces the connection charge based on the delay. The reductions are as follows:
- 1-10 working days: 5%
- 11-15 working days: 10%
- 16-20 working days: 15%
- More than 20 working days: 20%
| Delay Beyond Customer Committed Date (CCD) | Connection Charge Reduction |
|---|---|
| 1–10 working days late | 5% |
| 11–15 working days late | 10% |
| 16–20 working days late | 15% |
| More than 20 working days late | 20% |
BT aims for a 100% service availability target. In case of an outage, rental charge reductions are provided based on the outage duration:
- Up to 10 hours of outage: Equivalent to one day’s rental charge per hour of downtime.
- Maximum reduction per quarter is capped at ten hours of outage.
| SLA Metric | Target | Compensation | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service availability | 100% | One day’s rental charge per hour of downtime | Maximum 10 hours of outage compensation per quarter |
BT also provides a latency guarantee which is calculated as the average of round-trip transmission measurements taken in ten-minute intervals during a month. Results are available on www.bt.net. The latency guarantees vary based on the network:
- UK core network: Average round-trip transmission time of 20 milliseconds or less.
- Transatlantic network: Average round-trip transmission time of 95 milliseconds or less.
| Network | Latency Guarantee (Average Round-Trip) | Measurement Method | Compensation if Missed |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK core network | 20 milliseconds or less | Average of round-trip measurements taken in 10-minute intervals over a calendar month | One day’s rental charge discount if missed for two consecutive months |
| Transatlantic network | 95 milliseconds or less | Average of round-trip measurements taken in 10-minute intervals over a calendar month | One day’s rental charge discount if missed for two consecutive months |
| SLA Area | Guarantee | Credit / Compensation | Key Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-time delivery | Delivery on or before customer committed date (CCD) | 5%–20% reduction in connection charge depending on length of delay | CCD confirmed after survey; ECC or complex deliveries may receive an ECD instead (ECD not covered by SLA) |
| Service availability | 100% target | One day’s rental charge per hour of downtime | Maximum compensation capped at 10 hours of outage per quarter |
| UK core latency | ≤20ms average round-trip | One day’s rental charge discount if missed for two consecutive months | Measured in 10-minute intervals; results published on www.bt.net |
| Transatlantic latency | ≤95ms average round-trip | One day’s rental charge discount if missed for two consecutive months | Measured in 10-minute intervals; results published on www.bt.net |
| Fix time | 5-hour fix time target | Covered under availability SLA compensation | Support available via live chat, phone, or email |
| Service delivery completion | Managed CPE and dedicated circuit provided | N/A – defines when SLA begins | Service considered live once CPE and circuit connecting site to BT’s network are in place |
| Credit payment method | N/A | Applied as reduction in rental charges within next two billing cycles | Disputes must be notified in writing within two months of invoice date |
Understanding network latency is critical for evaluating these figures.
If the latency guarantee isn’t met for two consecutive months, a discount equivalent to one day’s rental charge for the service is provided.
Agreed reductions in charges due to the SLA will be paid as a reduction in rental charges, typically within the next two billing cycles. Any disputes concerning the application of the SLA to charges must be notified in writing within two months of the invoice date.
Flexibility and Scalability
BTnet Leased Line provides options for Managed SD-WAN capability which transforms the Meraki solution into a VPN between branch-office, HQ sites, and remote users. The BT SD-WAN service is delivered as a co-managed or fully managed service depending on requirements.
Scalability is also a significant advantage offered by the BTnet Leased Line. The service provides access to speeds ranging from 10Mb to 10Gb, catering to various bandwidth requirements of different business needs. As a company expands and its internet demands increase, upgrading the service is straightforward with a simple change required to increase bandwidth.
| Feature | Detail | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Managed SD-WAN | Transforms Meraki into a VPN between branch offices, HQ sites, and remote users | Secure connectivity across multiple locations from a single management platform |
| SD-WAN management options | Co-managed or fully managed service depending on requirements | Flexibility to retain control or fully delegate to BT |
| Speed range | 10Mb to 10Gb | Caters to businesses of all sizes from SME to large enterprise |
| Bandwidth upgrade process | Simple change required – no new circuit installation needed | Straightforward scaling as business demands increase |
Internet Access and Applications
Cloud Applications
With the consumption of Google Workspace, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS) or multi-cloud (combination of Cloud services) providers, BTnet is an important enabler to application performance.
The global reach of the BTnet backbone means your Internet traffic will remain on a single network (i.e., the BT network) when destined to one of the Cloud vendor data centre locations.
With BTnet’s latency and jitter SLAs, users are able to work via Cloud applications without network delay.
VoIP Technology
In addition to supporting cloud applications, BTnet is optimised for voice traffic which includes BT’s Cloud Voice and SIP services. Again, low latency network and local QoS (Quality of Service) results in excellent voice and video performance. For a deeper understanding of voice protocols, you can read about SIP Trunking.
| Application Type | Examples | How BTnet Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud platforms | Google Workspace, Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), multi-cloud | Traffic stays on BT backbone to cloud vendor data centres – fewer network hops, lower latency |
| Voice (VoIP) | BT Cloud Voice, SIP services | Low latency network and local QoS prioritisation for voice and video traffic |
| Video conferencing | Any real-time video application | SLA-backed latency and jitter guarantees ensure consistent, delay-free performance |
| Attribute | How BTnet Leased Lines Help |
|---|---|
| Bandwidth | Stable, high-speed dedicated connection with a 100% uptime guarantee |
| Latency | Dedicated connectivity ensures low latency (≤20ms UK core, ≤95ms transatlantic) |
| Jitter | Stable connection guarantees low jitter (consistent spacing between data packets) |
| Packet Loss | Superior reliability significantly reduces the chances of packet loss |
| Encryption | Robust encryption techniques to secure call data (requires correct Meraki capability purchase) |
| Authentication | Verification of call participants for enhanced security |
| Quality of Service (QoS) | BTnet prioritises voice and video traffic over other data |
| Server Locations | Wide network infrastructure ensures optimal server locations to reduce latency |
BTnet Leased Line vs Competitors
BT’s BTnet leased line service offers several advantages over competing ISPs which include Virgin Media, Colt, and TalkTalk as primary competitors. It is always wise to consult the regulator, Ofcom, for the latest market reports.
| Provider | Cybersecurity | SLA | Unique Features | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT (BTnet) | Advanced threat intelligence, cloud security, and managed firewall services via Cisco Meraki and Fortinet | Up to 100% availability with compensation for any downtime | Direct cloud connectivity, 5G-ready, BTnet resilience options (RO2), SD-WAN | Recognised by Netcraft as the No 1 leased line service in the UK |
| Virgin Media | Built-in Cisco cybersecurity | 99.85% service availability with 24/7 monitoring | Symmetrical speeds, dedicated internet access, future-proof and flexibility with add-ons | Described as having an award-winning global network |
| Colt | Emphasis on the security and reliability of their leased line connections | Guaranteed 99.99% SLA | High-speed connectivity, global network coverage, 24/7 customer support, cloud prioritisation | Described as having an award-winning global network |
| TalkTalk | Advanced firewall and DDoS protection | 100% availability SLA with compensation for any downtime | Direct peering with major cloud providers, full-fibre Ethernet and dedicated internet access | Multiple industry awards for their Ethernet products |
| Provider | Availability SLA | Downtime Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| BT (BTnet) | 100% target | One day’s rental per hour of downtime (capped at 10 hours per quarter) |
| Virgin Media | 99.85% | Not specified in this comparison |
| Colt | 99.99% | Not specified in this comparison |
| TalkTalk | 100% | Compensation for any downtime |
It is essential to note that the best leased line provider for one business may not necessarily be the most suitable choice for another. In this regard, factors such as pricing, customer service, and additional features should also be taken into account when comparing ISPs like TalkTalk, Virgin Media, and Colt.
Conclusion
There are a number of reasons to choose a BTnet leased line. The first and primary reason is to avoid the shared infrastructure of the Broadband network which essentially means your network performance is improved across latency, jitter, and packet loss due to the dedicated nature of leased lines. The second reason is symmetrical bandwidth; you’ll receive the same upload bandwidth vs download which is a marked difference from Broadband. The third is the BTnet SLA which offers 5-hour fix times and service credits if an outage occurs. The fourth is the capability to architect a service which is built with no single point of failure, subject to survey. The fifth and final reason is the recognition by Netcraft which has awarded BTnet as the number 1 performing leased line service in the UK.
| # | Reason | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dedicated infrastructure | Avoids shared broadband network – improved latency, jitter, and packet loss performance |
| 2 | Symmetrical bandwidth | Same upload and download speeds – a marked difference from broadband |
| 3 | BTnet SLA | 5-hour fix times and service credits if an outage occurs |
| 4 | No single point of failure | Architecture with complete circuit separation available (subject to survey) |
| 5 | Netcraft No 1 rating | Awarded as the number 1 performing leased line service in the UK |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the pricing of BTnet Leased Line compare to other providers?
The pricing of BTnet (and all leased line providers) is dependent on the business location vs the nearest network PoP (Point of Presence). In general terms, BTnet is viewed as a premium service and is therefore not the lowest cost solution in the market. However, the BTnet SLA, Cybersecurity features, and brand more than justify the additional cost.
What level of support is provided by BT for leased lines?
BT offers comprehensive support for BTnet leased lines which includes a 5-hour fix time if something goes wrong with your line. The BTnet support team is available through live chat, phone, or email to assist with any issues.
How reliable is the service offered by BTnet Leased Line?
The BT Global IP network is recognised by Gartner as one of their leaders within the magic quadrant. In the UK, BT offers a 100% uptime guarantee with the ability to architect failover circuits with complete separation (subject to survey).
Is BTnet Leased Line suitable for both businesses and homes?
BTnet is designed for businesses and not residential home addresses. While it is possible to install a leased line circuit within a home location, there will be considerable excess construction charges.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How does BTnet pricing compare to other providers? | BTnet is a premium service and not the lowest cost option. Pricing depends on business location vs nearest PoP (Point of Presence). The SLA, cybersecurity features, and brand justify the additional cost. |
| What level of support does BT provide for leased lines? | 5-hour fix time with support available via live chat, phone, or email. |
| How reliable is BTnet Leased Line? | BT Global IP network recognised by Gartner as a Magic Quadrant leader. 100% uptime guarantee with failover circuits and complete separation available (subject to survey). |
| Is BTnet suitable for residential homes? | Designed for businesses only. Installation at a home address is technically possible but will incur considerable excess construction charges. |
