Cader NetworksDedicated leased lines for Welsh businesses that need guaranteed bandwidth
When a shared business broadband isn't enough, for guaranteed bandwidth, symmetric upload, proper SLAs and multi-site operations, a leased line is the answer. Available across Wales, including rural sites where the network build may take longer than in a town centre.
Dedicated capacity for business-critical sites
Most businesses do fine on contended fibre broadband. The point you outgrow it is usually one of three: you need guaranteed symmetric bandwidth (heavy upload, hosted services); you need a proper SLA with a fix target faster than the standard 2-working-day broadband care level; or you're running multi-site with central infrastructure.
We deliver leased lines through Ethernet and the wholesale Etherway equivalent. Bandwidth options start at 100 Mbps and go up to 10 Gbps. We handle the order, manage the wholesale-network build process, install the customer-side equipment and run the service with proper monitoring and SLAs.
- Dedicated capacity, uncontended, symmetric upload/download
- Proper SLAs: 4-hour or 6-hour target fix, 99.95% uptime
- Bearer/access flexibility, upgrade access speed without re-install
- Multi-site WAN, site-to-site connectivity with central management
- Proactive monitoring with credit-back where SLAs aren't met
- Lead time: typically 60–90 working days for new builds
Typical leased-line customers
- Businesses hosting services (file servers, video, hosted desktops)
- Heavy uploaders, media production, design, CAD
- Multi-site organisations centralising IT
- Operations that cannot tolerate a 2-working-day fix window
Is a leased line right for your business?
A leased line is dedicated infrastructure, not shared with any other customer. That matters for some businesses and not at all for others. Here is how to tell which side you are on.
The core difference from business broadband is contention. Contended broadband shares capacity across many users on the same network segment; a leased line does not. For most businesses, contended broadband is fast enough because demand is spread across the day. The point it fails is when you need guaranteed symmetric speeds at peak times: heavy file uploads, hosting your own services, video conferencing with multiple simultaneous streams, or cloud-heavy workflows where latency spikes cause real problems.
A leased line also carries a formal SLA with engineer dispatch and a target fix time, typically four to eight hours. Contended broadband generally comes with a next-working-day or best-effort fix window. If a few hours of downtime costs your business significantly, that gap matters. Multi-site businesses and those running cloud infrastructure that cannot tolerate performance variability are the clearest candidates.
When a leased line is not the right fit: businesses with modest bandwidth needs, single-user offices, sites where FTTP is already delivering good performance, or any situation where the budget does not justify the cost. In those cases, business FTTP or SOGEA broadband with a 4G failover is often the better answer. Prices for leased lines are quoted per site. Contact us for a tailored quote.
Leased line is a strong fit if you
- Need guaranteed symmetric upload and download speeds
- Run cloud-heavy or hosted workloads where latency spikes cause problems
- Need an SLA with a defined fix time and engineer dispatch
- Operate across multiple sites and need consistent WAN performance
What buyers ask about leased lines
What is a leased line?
A leased line is a dedicated point-to-point Ethernet connection, uncontended, symmetric, with guaranteed bandwidth and proper SLAs. Unlike business broadband (which shares capacity with other customers), a leased line is exclusively yours from your building to the supplier's core.
What's the difference between EAD, EFM and Etherway?
EAD (Ethernet Access Direct) is a standard fibre-Ethernet leased-line circuit. EFM (Ethernet First Mile) uses bonded copper for sites where fibre isn't viable. Etherway is the equivalent on a different wholesale network. We pick the right product for your address and bandwidth needs.
What SLA can you offer?
Typical leased-line SLAs are 4-hour or 6-hour target fix time, 99.95% uptime, and proactive monitoring with credit-back terms. We'll quote the specific SLA against your chosen circuit.
How long does a leased line take to install?
Lead time for a new leased line is typically 60–90 working days, mostly because of any network build work involved (excavation, cabling, equipment install). We push for the best date the supplier will give us and keep you informed throughout.
What bandwidths can I get?
Common bearer/access combinations: 100 Mbps bearer with 10/20/50/100 Mbps access; 1 Gbps bearer with 100/200/500/1000 Mbps access; 10 Gbps bearer for the largest sites. We can up your access speed without re-installing the bearer.
Can I get a leased line at a rural Welsh site?
Yes, though the network build can take longer where fibre infrastructure has to be extended to the site. We survey and quote the realistic build timeline upfront rather than a generic estimate. For sites that can't wait for the build, business broadband with 4G failover is often the interim option.
What is the difference between a leased line and business broadband?
A leased line is a dedicated, uncontended connection. The bandwidth is exclusively yours and is not shared with any other customer. Speeds are symmetric, meaning upload and download are the same. It comes with a formal SLA including a guaranteed fix time and engineer dispatch. Business broadband is contended, meaning the capacity is shared across many users, and fix times are typically next-working-day or best-effort. For many businesses, contended broadband is perfectly adequate. For those where guaranteed performance and uptime commitments matter, a leased line is the step up.
What speeds are available on a leased line?
Typically from 100 Mbps up to 10 Gbps, all symmetrical. Common options are 100 Mbps, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps bearers. We can often increase your access speed on an existing bearer without a full re-install. Speeds and pricing are quoted per site.
How long does leased line installation take?
Typically 60 to 90 working days, mainly because of the civils involved: excavation, fibre pull, equipment installation. Where a network extension is needed to reach your site, the build adds time. We manage the process, push for the best date the supplier will give, and keep you updated throughout.
What SLA comes with a leased line?
Typically a four to eight hour target fix time with engineer dispatch, and 99.95% uptime with credit-back terms where the SLA is not met. The exact SLA terms depend on the circuit type and are quoted per site.
How much does a leased line cost?
Prices vary by location, bandwidth requirement and the civils needed to reach the site. A town-centre site with existing fibre infrastructure nearby will cost less and arrive faster than a rural site needing a long extension. We quote per site based on a proper survey rather than publishing a headline price that does not reflect the real cost. Contact us for a tailored quote.
Can I use a leased line as a primary connection and have failover at the same time?
Yes. A common setup is a leased line as the primary connection with a 4G fixed wireless link as automatic failover. If the leased line drops, traffic moves across to 4G with minimal disruption. We configure the routing so card payments, VoIP and other business-critical traffic handle the switchover cleanly.
Get a leased-line quote.
Tell us your site, bandwidth needs and SLA expectations. We'll quote against the major wholesale networks and tell you which is the better fit. We can't give a price upfront, every leased line is surveyed and quoted for the specific site.