FTTP, FTTC and leased lines explained
Business internet connections come in a few main types, and the names can be confusing. Here is what they mean in plain English.
FTTC (fibre to the cabinet)
FTTC runs fibre from the exchange to the green street cabinet, then uses the existing copper telephone line for the final stretch to your building. It has been the most common type of broadband in the UK for many years. Because copper slows down over distance, speeds vary depending on how far you are from the cabinet, and upload speeds are usually much lower than download speeds.
FTTP (fibre to the premises), also called full fibre
FTTP runs fibre all the way into your building, with no copper involved. It is generally faster, more consistent and more reliable than FTTC, and better suited to cloud services, video calls and VoIP phones. Full fibre networks are still being built across the UK, so whether it is available at your address depends on local network build.
Leased lines
A leased line is a dedicated connection between your premises and the provider's network, not shared with other customers. Upload and download speeds are usually the same, performance is consistent throughout the day and leased lines typically come with stronger service levels for fault repair. They cost more than broadband and can take longer to install, but suit businesses that rely heavily on their connection, have many staff or host services that others connect to.
What is a static IP address and do you need one?
Every internet connection has an IP address, which identifies it on the internet. Many home connections have an address that can change from time to time. A static IP address stays the same.
Businesses often need a static IP for remote access to office systems, VPNs between sites, hosting services, or software and suppliers that only accept connections from known addresses. If you are not sure whether you need one, we can check how your systems are set up.
4G and 5G failover
Even the best connection can be interrupted, for example by roadworks cutting a cable. A 4G or 5G backup connection sits alongside your main line and takes over automatically if it fails. Speeds depend on mobile signal at your premises, but it can keep email, cloud apps and VoIP phones working until the main line is restored. For businesses that cannot afford to be offline, it is a sensible and relatively low cost safeguard.
Why one supplier for IT and connectivity helps
When a business has broadband from one company and IT support from another, internet problems often end in finger pointing. The broadband provider says the line is fine; the IT company says the problem is the line. Meanwhile, your team cannot work.
With Cyber Fibre for your connection and Cyber Fits for your IT, one team can look at the whole picture: the line, the router, the firewall, the network and WiFi and the devices. That makes problems quicker to diagnose and removes the back and forth between suppliers. It also makes changes easier, for example when you move office, add a VoIP phone system or move more of your work to the cloud.
Moving office or changing provider
Business broadband and leased line installations take time to arrange, especially at a new address. If you are planning an office move, talk to us early. We coordinate the connection alongside cabling, WiFi and phones as part of our IT projects service, so everything is ready when your team arrives.
If you are switching provider, we help plan the changeover to keep downtime to a minimum, check any contract end dates and make sure services such as email, phones and remote access carry on working after the switch.
Choosing the right connection for your business
The right connection depends on how your business uses the internet. A few questions help narrow it down:
- How many people are online at once? More users, video calls and cloud apps all need more capacity.
- How much do you upload? Backups, large files, design work and video calls all depend on upload speed, which is where full fibre and leased lines are much stronger than copper based services.
- What happens if you are offline? If an outage would stop you trading, a backup connection, or a leased line with stronger repair commitments, is worth considering.
- Do your systems need a fixed address? If so, include a static IP.
We are happy to talk this through and recommend a sensible option, rather than simply the biggest one.
Check availability and prices
Availability, speeds and prices depend on your exact address, so the quickest way to find out what you can get is to check on the Cyber Fibre website. You can also call Cyber Fits on 0191 543 3432 or get in touch if you would like to talk through your options alongside your IT.