A leased line in the UK typically costs between £200 and £600 per month, depending on the speed required, your location, the service level agreement and contract length.
This is a useful planning range, rather than a fixed price. Every leased line is designed around a specific site, and pricing reflects the infrastructure needed to connect your premises, the bandwidth selected and the support arrangements included.
A leased line provides dedicated bandwidth for your organisation, with symmetric upload and download speeds and an SLA-backed support model. It can be a valuable investment for businesses that rely on cloud platforms, hosted telephony, large file transfers, remote access and other connectivity-led operations.
What affects leased line pricing in the UK?
Several factors shape the monthly cost of a leased line. Understanding these helps you compare quotes effectively and choose a service that supports your operational requirements.
Speed and bandwidth
The bandwidth you choose is one of the main factors affecting leased line pricing. Higher-capacity services generally cost more because they provide greater dedicated bandwidth for your premises.
Common options include 100 Mbps, 200 Mbps, 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps services. As a fully managed service, Active Digital offers up to 10Gbps. The right speed depends on the number of users, connected devices and applications running at the site.
A smaller office using cloud applications and hosted voice may be well served by a lower-capacity connection. A larger location with regular video calls, cloud backups and high volumes of data is likely to benefit from additional capacity.
Leased lines provide symmetric speeds, meaning the upload and download capacity are the same. This supports activities such as cloud backups, video conferencing, transferring large files and accessing remote systems.
Location and local infrastructure
Your business’ location has a significant effect on leased line pricing. Costs are influenced by the distance between your premises and the nearest suitable network infrastructure, as well as the route required to deliver the connection.
Sites in well-connected business areas may have a more straightforward installation route, while other locations may require additional fibre build work, site access planning or civil engineering. A site survey confirms the available options, delivery approach, lead time and any site-specific costs before you proceed.
Service level agreement
A leased line includes a service level agreement (SLA) that sets out the agreed standards for availability, fault handling and restoration.
Different SLA options can affect the service cost. A stronger support model, shorter restoration targets or additional resilience requirements may be appropriate for sites where connectivity plays a central role in daily operations.
When comparing leased line quotes, review the SLA alongside the monthly price. It helps you understand the support framework behind the connection and how the service will be managed over time.
Contract length
Most leased line contracts run for between 36 and 60 months. Longer terms can sometimes provide a lower monthly price, while shorter agreements can offer greater flexibility.
It is useful to consider how long you expect to occupy the premises, whether your bandwidth requirements may change and how the connection fits into wider property or technology plans. Contract terms should also be reviewed carefully if you are considering a move, as early exit charges may apply.
How much does a leased line cost per month?
As an indicative guide, a business leased line can cost between £200 and £600 per month. The final figure will depend on the location, speed, contract term, installation requirements and SLA selected.
| Leased line requirement | Indicative monthly price range* |
|---|---|
| Lower-capacity leased line | From around £200 per month |
| Mid-range business leased line | Around £300 to £450 per month |
| Higher-capacity or more complex connection | Around £450 to £600+ per month |
*Indicative pricing only. Final costs depend on the specific premises, available network infrastructure and chosen service.Â
The most suitable service is not always the lowest-priced option. A clear review of the site, users, applications and support requirements helps ensure your investment is aligned with the way the organisation operates.
Are there installation costs for a leased line?
Installation costs are often included within the commercial proposal or charged as a modest one-off fee. The final position depends on the network provider, the existing infrastructure near your premises and the work needed to bring the service into the building.
Additional requirements can include:
- New fibre construction or civils work
- Access arrangements for the building
- Wayleave agreements
- Internal cabling or network equipment
- Complex routing between the street and premises
Leased line installation timescales are confirmed following a site survey. Many installations take around 45 to 90 working days, while projects involving additional infrastructure, complex routes or third-party permissions can take six months or longer. This allows time for surveys, network design, permissions, construction work and testing.
Early planning gives your organisation more choice when moving office, opening a new site or upgrading connectivity. It also allows time to coordinate the new connection with existing broadband, voice and network services.
Is a leased line more expensive than broadband?
A leased line usually has a higher monthly cost than business broadband as it provides dedicated bandwidth, symmetric speeds and an SLA-backed support model.
Business broadband uses shared network capacity and can be a practical, cost-effective option for many sites. A leased line provides capacity reserved for your organisation, making it well suited to businesses that need consistent performance for cloud services, hosted voice and high levels of concurrent activity.
For a fuller comparison of the two options, read leased line vs broadband: which is right for your business?.
How to compare leased line quotes
A like-for-like comparison is essential when reviewing leased line pricing. Two quotes with similar monthly costs may include different bandwidth, installation terms or SLA commitments.
Review each proposal against the following points:
- Dedicated bandwidth and symmetric speed
- Contract length and monthly price
- Installation charges and any excess construction costs
- SLA terms, including fault response and restoration
- Lead time and project delivery requirements
- Upgrade options as the organisation grows
- Support arrangements during installation and ongoing service
Active Digital is independent and can source quotes across multiple suppliers, rather than being tied to one provider. This helps organisations compare available network options and select a leased line that suits their commercial priorities and connectivity requirements.
Planning your leased line investment
A leased line should be considered as part of your wider connectivity plan. Start with the people, systems and services that use the connection, then consider the capacity and support model required.
For some organisations, business broadband will provide the right level of connectivity. For others, dedicated bandwidth offers a stronger foundation for cloud-based operations, customer communications and future growth. Our guide to signs you need a leased line can help you assess when a dedicated service may be appropriate.
With over 30 years of experience and 97% client retention, Active Digital supports organisations with practical advice, strong infrastructure and long-term service.
Explore our leased lines service or contact us to discuss your options.
Leased line cost FAQs
- How much does a leased line cost per month?
A leased line may cost around £200 to £600 per month, depending on speed, location, SLA and contract length. A site-specific quote will confirm the final price.
- What factors affect leased line pricing in the UK?
The main factors are bandwidth, location, available infrastructure, SLA requirements, contract length and installation work. A site survey helps identify the options available for your premises.
- Is a leased line more expensive than broadband?
A leased line usually costs more than business broadband because it provides dedicated bandwidth, symmetric speeds and SLA-backed support. Business broadband can be a practical option for sites with more straightforward requirements.
- Are there installation costs for a leased line?
Installation may be included in the proposal or charged as a one-off cost. Charges can vary depending on fibre build requirements, access arrangements and the route to your premises.
- How long is a typical leased line contract?
Leased line contracts commonly run from 12 to 36 months. The most suitable term depends on your property plans, budget and expected connectivity requirements.
