For most organisations today, internet connectivity isn’t just about getting online. It’s what keeps Microsoft 365 running, enables Teams calls, powers cloud applications, supports remote workers and keeps your phones connected.
But with so many connectivity options available, knowing which service is right for your organisation isn’t always straightforward.
SoGEA, FTTP, FibreLight and Leased Lines all serve different purposes, and the best choice often comes down to how your organisation works, how heavily you rely on the internet, and what impact downtime would have on your team.
Let’s break it down.
SoGEA: A Good Option Where Full Fibre Isn't Available
SoGEA is often the most practical option for smaller sites where full fibre isn’t yet available.
It provides internet access without needing a traditional phone line, making it a more modern replacement for older broadband services.
With speeds of up to 80Mbps, it’s perfectly suitable for many smaller organisations that mainly use email, web browsing and a handful of online applications.
SoGEA may be a good fit if:
· You have a small office
· Only a few people use the connection
· Most work involves email, web browsing and basic online systems
· You need an affordable option
· Full fibre isn’t available at your location
The main thing to remember is that performance can vary depending on where your building is located.
Best for: Smaller organisations looking for reliable and affordable internet access.
FTTP: The Connectivity Sweet Spot for Most Organisations
For many businesses, charities and schools, FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) is now the obvious starting point.
Unlike SoGEA, fibre runs all the way into your building, delivering faster speeds, greater reliability and a connection that’s built for modern cloud-based working.
Whether you’re using Microsoft Teams, hosted telephony, cloud storage, video conferencing or Microsoft 365, FTTP can comfortably support the way most organisations work today.
FTTP is ideal if:
· Your organisation relies heavily on cloud services
· Staff regularly use Teams meetings and VoIP calling
· You support remote or hybrid workers
· You transfer large files or run cloud backups
· You want a future-ready connection without breaking the budget
FTTP offers speeds of up to 1Gbps, making it significantly faster than traditional broadband while remaining highly affordable.
The only thing to bear in mind is that FTTP is still a broadband service. While fast and reliable, it doesn’t offer the dedicated bandwidth or service guarantees available with Ethernet-based solutions.
Best for: Most organisations looking for fast, modern and cost-effective business connectivity.
FibreLight: When Broadband Isn't Quite Enough
Sometimes standard broadband starts to feel limiting.
Perhaps your organisation has grown, more people are working online, or you’re finding that internet performance affects day-to-day operations.
FibreLight sits between broadband and a traditional leased line.
Rather than sharing capacity in the same way as standard broadband services, it gives your organisation a more consistent and dependable connection.
Think of it as the next step up when FTTP is starting to feel a little stretched, but a leased line isn’t yet necessary.
FibreLight is worth considering if:
· More of your work is happening online
· Connectivity is starting to become business critical
· You want more consistent performance throughout the day
· Your team depends heavily on Teams, VoIP or hosted applications
· You need dedicated connectivity at a competitive price point
Available in 200Mbps, 500Mbps, 1Gbps and up to 5Gbps services, FibreLight offers many of the advantages of dedicated fibre without the cost typically associated with traditional leased lines.
Best for: Growing organisations that need a more dependable connection without moving straight to a leased line.
Leased Lines: When Internet Access is Essential
For some organisations, losing internet access isn’t just an inconvenience, it can bring work to a halt.
A leased line provides a connection that’s used only by your organisation.
This means consistently fast performance and stronger support agreements if a problem occurs.
Unlike broadband, where download speeds are often much faster than upload speeds, a leased line gives you the same speed in both directions. This is particularly useful if your organisation transfers large files, relies heavily on online systems, or has lots of people using the connection at the same time.
A leased line may be worth considering if:
· Your organisation cannot operate without internet access
· Large numbers of staff are online throughout the day
· Most of your systems are web-based
· You run a busy phone system or contact centre
· Downtime would have a significant impact on the organisation
Best for: Organisations where reliable internet is essential to delivering services.
The Most Important Question: What Happens if Your Connection Fails?
A lot of organisations focus solely on choosing the fastest connection.
In reality, resilience is often more important.
Even the best connectivity service can experience an outage. The question is whether your organisation can continue operating while it’s fixed.
For organisations that cannot tolerate downtime, a backup connection should form part of the conversation from the start.
For example:
· A leased line with a full fibre backup
· A full fibre connection with 4G or 5G failover
· Two connections from different network suppliers
Using different network suppliers and infrastructure wherever possible reduces the risk of a single fault affecting both services.
So, Which Option Should You Choose?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but as a rough guide:
If you need… Consider…
Basic internet for a small office SoGEA or FTTP
Fast internet for everyday business use FTTP
A more dependable service as you grow FibreLight
Internet that’s critical to your organisation Leased Line
Protection against outages A primary connection plus a backup service
For many organisations, FTTP provides the best balance of performance, reliability and cost. But speed alone doesn’t tell the full story.
The real question is this:
How much would an internet outage cost your organisation?
If the answer is “not much”, FTTP may be all you need. If the answer is “a lot”, it’s worth looking at FibreLight, a leased line, or a resilient multi-connection setup.
Thinking About Switching Providers?
Moving connectivity provider can feel daunting, but it doesn’t need to be.
At Qlic IT, we manage the entire process, from installation and configuration through to testing and go-live. We’ll advise on the best connectivity option for your organisation, handle the technical details and help ensure a smooth transition with minimal disruption.
Whether you’re upgrading from legacy broadband, moving to full fibre, or exploring dedicated connectivity for the first time, we’ll help you find the right solution for the way your organisation works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a leased line?
Not necessarily. For many organisations, FTTP (Full Fibre) provides more than enough speed and reliability. A leased line is usually best when internet access is essential to day-to-day operations.
What’s the difference between FTTP and a leased line?
FTTP is a shared broadband service, while a leased line is a dedicated connection used only by your organisation, offering more consistent performance and stronger service guarantees.
Is full fibre available at my location?
Availability varies by area. A quick connectivity check can confirm what’s available at your premises.
Will switching providers cause downtime?
In most cases, any disruption is minimal. Your new service can often be installed and tested before your old connection is cancelled.
Can I keep my existing equipment?
Sometimes. It depends on the type of connection you’re moving to and whether your current hardware is compatible.
Should I have a backup connection?
If your organisation would struggle to operate without internet access, a backup connection is worth considering.
How long does installation take?
Timescales vary depending on the service. Standard broadband and FTTP installations are often quicker than dedicated fibre or leased line installations.
Can Qlic help me choose the right option?
Absolutely. We can assess your requirements, explain the options in plain English, and recommend the best fit for your organisation.
