With the onset of COVID-19, online learning has come to the forefront of education, enabling students to still access high-quality education while isolating at home. The phenomena of online learning is not a new one, especially at higher education facilities such as universities. For many higher education institutions, the move to online lectures has reduced overhead costs such as maintaining teaching facilities. Even online meetings are increasing in popularity as it reduces travel costs and time lost from travelling while also reducing the carbon footprint of businesses. Due to the increased demand for online learning and virtual meetings, the use of leased lines has also increased significantly.

So, what is a leased line?
Here comes the nerdy answer, a leased line is a private telecommunications circuit between two or more locations provided according to a commercial contract. It is sometimes also known as a private circuit, and as a data line in the UK. Examples of this are Microsoft teams and Google classrooms. A leased-line is also the highest grade and most suited to business use for all connectivity options. The other 3 options, one of which you most likely already use are; Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC), Ethernet over Fibre to the Cabinet (EoFTTC) and Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).

In short, a leased line allows to the have private, secure and high-speed connection throughout your school organisation.

So, what’s the difference between leased lines and broadband?
Broadband and leased lines connect to your school premises in different ways. They both still come through a cable, but the difference is to do with how they get to you. With regular broadband packages, you get your internet from the local cabinet, one of those green cabinets that you would see on the side of the road on your street. The green box will have many different cables, copper-wire or fibre that deliver internet to you. The difference comes with how cables are split as the internet gets to you. With regular broadband, the cable gets split between all the premises on your street using that broadband but with a leased line, you will get a dedicated circuit that’s only used for you. Enabling you to access much faster internet as there is no sharing.

Digital and online learning services require consistent, reliable and fast internet speeds which is why so many schools have been struggling with internet connectivity issues during COVID-19. This issue is made worse by having multiple people using each household internet line, parents working from home, teenagers trying to learn and younger siblings playing computer games all put a huge strain on broadband services. But by using a leased line schools can avoid all these issues hence improving productivity, teaching experience and interactivity. By choosing a leased line your school internet will be much more capable of dealing with a large number of uses and vary demands that schools often face.

How much could a leased line improve our connectivity?
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty! We’ll compare a leased line against regular broadband. First of all, the cost, one of the only downfalls of a leased line. A leased line will usually cost significantly more per month, however, at Unite 6 our price promise means we promise to find you the best possible value for your school’s specific needs, depending on the number of users and speeds required.

Now looking at speeds, there is simply no comparison, on leased lines, the connection speed can be incredibly high compared to normal broadband. Leased lines can see as high as 2GBps with usual broadband having a UK average of 64Mbps. That’s 30x faster for a leased line! Now that is astonishing!

Are there any disadvantages to using a leased line?
At Unite6 we believe that all schools who regularly use digital teaching tools and cloud services should consider using leased lines. Leased lines do require experienced IT and connectivity support from a provider who understands your specific security needs as a school. But at Unite 6 we specialise in providing telecommunications to schools and have extensive industry experience in the education sector, therefore we can provide expert specialised support for your school.

So, what are you waiting for? If you think a leased line might suit yourselves, why not get in touch?