BTnet leased line plans: wires only, managed router or Meraki

The three BTnet plans compared

This table sets out how BT's current BTnet plans differ. Every plan includes a dedicated, uncontended, symmetrical connection and static IPv4 addresses.

BT's plans page shows standard speeds up to 1Gbps, and BT offers BTnet at up to 10Gbps. Which plan, speed and options suit you is confirmed at quote.

BTnet wires only

With BTnet wires only, BT delivers the access line and terminates it on its network terminating equipment at your site. Everything after that is yours: you supply, configure and run the router or firewall that connects to it.

BT aims this plan at organisations that already have their own network design or IT equipment. It often suits:

• Organisations that already own a firewall they want to keep
• IT teams that need full control of routing, VPNs and policies
• Sites where the leased line is one part of a wider network design

The trade-off is responsibility. BT's terms put the service management boundary at the NTU, and BT's own testing on a wires only service is a set of standard ping tests to the port. If your router is misconfigured or fails, that is outside BT's service. Make sure whoever manages your equipment is ready on installation day.

BTnet + Cisco router

With BTnet + Cisco router, BT supplies a Cisco router and manages it for you. BT's responsibility extends to the router's LAN port, so a fault in the router is BT's to resolve.

BT aims this plan at organisations that want the router looked after while keeping security in their own hands. That usually means a firewall of your choosing sits behind the BT router on your network.

Points to know:

• The router is BT's property. BT's terms ask you to keep it safe, not move or alter it without consent, and insure it.
• The managed router has its own specification, including throughput. If you later flex bandwidth beyond what the equipment supports, BT's terms say new equipment is needed and a new minimum period starts. See Bandwidth Flex.
• You remain responsible for your own firewall, LAN and the cable from the router to your equipment.

BTnet Meraki + BTnet Security

BTnet Meraki + BTnet Security pairs the dedicated line with managed Cisco Meraki equipment and BT's BTnet Security service. It is aimed at organisations that want a security layer built into the connection itself, rather than bought and run separately.

BTnet Security brings together:

• A next-generation firewall that works at Layer 7, so rules can take account of applications as well as addresses and ports
• Malware protection to help stop malicious files reaching your network
• Content (URL) filtering so you can control which categories of website people can reach
• Intrusion detection and prevention to spot and block suspicious traffic
• Security updates applied regularly as new threats appear

BT makes BTnet Security available only to BTnet customers with the Cisco Meraki managed equipment option. BT's terms also state that BT does not guarantee security against unauthorised access, so treat BTnet Security as a strong layer alongside good practice on your devices and accounts, not a replacement for it.

What every plan includes

Whichever plan you choose, BT's terms give you the same standard components:

• A dedicated access line to BT's network, built for your site after survey
• Uncontended, symmetrical bandwidth at your chosen port speed, from 2Mbps to 10Gbps
• Static IPv4 addresses, plus static or dynamic routed addresses
• BT's Business Premium Care support level and fault reporting through BT's Service Desk
• Cleanfeed filtering as standard, with a written opt-out
• BT's service levels for availability, on-time delivery and latency; see the BTnet SLA

What you will not find is a fair usage policy: BT's help pages say you can use as much data as you like.

Add-ons and related options

These sit alongside the three plans:

How to choose your BTnet plan

Usually, three questions settle it:

1. Who will manage the router? If you have the skills and want control, wires only. If not, a managed Cisco or Meraki option.
2. Who will manage security? If you already run a firewall you trust, wires only or the Cisco router plan. If you want a security layer as part of the connection, Meraki with BTnet Security.
3. What do you need around the line? Managed Wi-Fi across the site (which runs on BT's Meraki equipment), a second line for resilience, or a quicker install with BTnet Express can all steer the choice.

Then work out your speed with our bandwidth sizing guide and check the questions to ask before you order.

Example set-ups

These illustrations, not customer stories, show how the choice usually plays out:

Your own answer depends on who manages your network today and how you want that to work in future. If you are not sure, tell us how things run now and we will suggest a starting point. Pages for particular sectors, such as law firms and offices, go into more detail.

Pricing for BTnet plans

Every BTnet line is priced for its site, so we do not publish headline figures. What moves the price is explained in BT leased line cost: bearer, port speed, contract term, plan and equipment, options such as Security and Wi-Fi, resilience and any extra construction work.

Ask us for a quote. Contact us with your postcode and what you use the connection for, and we will set out the plans that fit side by side.