In short
BTnet is BT's dedicated leased line for business internet access: uncontended, symmetrical bandwidth from 2Mbps to 10Gbps, no fair usage policy, static IPv4 addresses and BT's SLA. Installation follows a site survey and can take up to 70 working days. Plans range from wires only to managed Cisco or Meraki equipment.
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Speed and bandwidth
What speeds does BTnet offer? BT's terms list port speeds from 2Mbps to 10Gbps, in steps based on Ethernet speeds. BT's plans tab shows standard speeds up to 1Gbps, with up to 10Gbps available. See BTnet speeds.
Is BTnet symmetrical? Yes. BTnet bandwidth is symmetrical as standard, so your upload speed matches your download speed. See symmetrical speeds.
Will I get the full speed I pay for? The bandwidth is uncontended, so it is not shared with other users. But any IP connection loses some capacity to network and IP overheads, and BT's terms say throughput is typically 5-10% below the port speed. See our leased line speed test guide.
Is there a data limit or fair usage policy? No. BT's help pages say there is no fair usage policy on BTnet and you can use as much data as you like.
Can I change my speed later? Yes, within the capacity of your bearer. BT's help pages say you can flex bandwidth up or down with 72 hours' notice, with rental changing pro rata. Each flex has its own terms. See Bandwidth Flex and leased line bearers explained.
Installation and availability
How long does BTnet take to install? BT's help pages say it can take up to 70 working days, depending on the survey. BT gives a Customer Committed Date after the survey. See lead times.
Is there a quicker option? BTnet Express is delivered with easier-to-install cabling and has a typical lead time of 35-40 working days, according to BT. Whether it is available at your site is confirmed at quote.
Do I need a site survey? Yes. BT's help pages say every installation is subject to a site survey, carried out as the first step of the order. See what happens at a site survey.
What are excess construction charges? Charges on top of the standard connection charge when extra engineering is needed to reach your site. BT's terms let you agree a limit in your order, and if the cost goes above it you can accept a revised quote or cancel. See excess construction charges.
Do I need my landlord's permission? Often, yes. If you rent your premises, a wayleave agreement with the property owner is usually needed before the line can be installed. Start early, because it can affect your dates.
Can BTnet be delivered over full fibre (FTTP)? In some cases. BT's terms list GEA over FTTP access as one of the BTnet bearer types, alongside Ethernet fibre bearers. Which bearer your site gets is confirmed at quote and survey. See leased line vs FTTP.
Can I cancel a BTnet order? Yes, but BT's terms apply cancellation charges once a Customer Committed Date has been confirmed, and they depend on the bearer type. If excess construction charges come in above your agreed limit, you can choose not to go ahead. See BTnet contract terms.
How do I check if BTnet is available at my address? Send us your address and postcode. Availability is checked with a desktop survey and confirmed by a site survey. See check BTnet availability.
Equipment, IP addresses and security
Does BTnet come with a router? BT's help pages say BTnet comes as standard with a fully managed router, with options from Cisco and Cisco Meraki. You can choose wires only and use your own equipment instead. See BTnet leased line plans.
What is the difference between wires only and a managed router? With BTnet wires only, BT's responsibility ends at its network terminating unit and you run your own router or firewall. With a managed Cisco router or Meraki equipment, BT manages the equipment up to its LAN port.
Does BTnet include static IP addresses? Yes. Static assigned IPv4 addresses are a standard component, along with static or dynamic routed IP addresses. Addresses BT provides remain BT's and end with the service. See static IP addresses.
Does BTnet support IPv6? BT's standard components for BTnet list static IPv4 addresses. If you need IPv6, ask us and we will check what can be provided for your service.
Who owns the equipment? Equipment BT supplies, such as a managed Cisco router or Meraki equipment, remains BT's property. BT's terms ask you to keep it safe, not move or alter it without consent, and insure it. On wires only, the router or firewall you connect is yours.
Can I offer guest Wi-Fi on BTnet? BTnet Wi-Fi uses Meraki access points alongside BT's Meraki equipment and can include separate staff and guest Wi-Fi. Under BT's terms you are responsible for how your network is used, and for setting and securing Wi-Fi passwords.
Does BTnet include a firewall or security? BTnet Security adds a next-generation (Layer 7) firewall, malware protection, URL filtering, intrusion detection and prevention and regular security updates. BT offers it only with the Cisco Meraki managed equipment option. On the wires only and Cisco router plans you run your own firewall and security.
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Service levels and resilience
What does the BTnet SLA cover? BT's terms set a 100% availability service level (excluding Wi-Fi), on-time delivery credits and a network latency commitment, with service credits when they are missed. Claims have deadlines and exclusions. See the BTnet SLA.
How do I keep my site online if the line fails? BT offers resilience with a second access line: failover, load balancing or a lower-speed back-up line. Which options are available depends on your site. See resilient BTnet.
How are faults reported? Your nominated Customer Contact reports incidents to BT's Service Desk and receives a ticket reference. See BTnet support.
Contracts, cost and moves
How much does BTnet cost? It depends on the bearer, port speed, contract term, plan, options and the work needed to reach your site. We do not publish prices; ask us for a quote. See BT leased line cost.
How long is a BTnet contract? The minimum period is set in your order. After it ends the service continues until either side gives notice. Termination charges apply if you end it early. See BTnet contract terms.
What happens if we move office? BT's terms treat moves within your site and moves to a new site differently, both subject to survey. A move to a new site starts a new minimum period. Plan early because of lead times. See moving office with BTnet.
Why buy BTnet from Forever Communications
Forever Communications is part of Forever Group and an Authorised Supplier for BT. We supply BTnet, BT's dedicated leased line internet service, to businesses, schools, charities and public sector organisations, and we help with each step from first enquiry to go-live.
- The right BTnet option for you: we help you choose a speed, bearer, router and resilience option that fits how your sites actually work, from BTnet plans to BTnet speeds
- A clear quote: BTnet is priced per site, so we check availability at your address and set out what is included; see leased line cost
- Installation managed with you: we explain the survey, any wayleave or construction steps and the installation process, and keep you updated on progress
- Connected services in one conversation: phones with BT Cloud Voice, Wi-Fi, firewalls and backup lines, so the whole set-up is planned together
- Help after go-live: we can help with faults, changes and upgrades, with the support arrangements confirmed in your quote
BTnet is a business service. Service levels, lead times and features are BT's and are confirmed at order.
Frequently asked questions
Is it lease line or leased line?
The correct term is leased line: a line that is leased (rented) from a provider for your sole use. "Lease line" is a common misspelling of the same thing. See what is a leased line?.
Is BTnet available for homes?
BTnet is a business service, sold to businesses and organisations. It is not offered as home broadband.
What does BTnet stand for?
BTnet is simply BT's product name for its leased line internet service. BT lists it under dedicated internet access. See what is a BT leased line.
Can I use BTnet for card payments?
BT's terms say BTnet is not PCI DSS compliant and must not be used to process, store or transmit cardholder data. Card payments need their own security controls, so ask us when you plan a site that takes payments.
Is BTnet good for VoIP and BT Cloud Voice?
BT says BTnet gives voice traffic priority, including calls on its Cloud Voice and SIP services, and its terms include a network latency commitment. See a leased line for VoIP, and BT Cloud Voice if you are choosing a phone system too.
Who supplies BTnet on this site?
Forever Communications, part of Forever Group and an Authorised Supplier for BT. See why buy BTnet from Forever Communications.
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