In short
A BT leased line, sold as BTnet, is a dedicated access line from your business site into BT's network for internet access. It comes with uncontended, symmetrical bandwidth, static IPv4 addresses, managed equipment or a wires only option, BT's Business Premium Care support level and Cleanfeed filtering as standard, with no fair usage policy.
Get a quote for BTnet
Tell us roughly how many users or sites you have and we will reply by email with options and a quote.
BTnet in plain words
BTnet is BT's leased line internet service for businesses and other organisations. You will also see it written as "BT net" or "BT Net"; BT's own name for it is BTnet, and BT files it under dedicated internet access.
In practice, BTnet is a private circuit (the access line) that runs from your premises to a point of presence in BT's network, and from there to the internet. The bandwidth on that circuit is set aside for your site alone. Nobody else's traffic shares it, which is the big difference from broadband, where many users share the same capacity.
BTnet tends to suit organisations where the connection has become critical: offices where everyone works in cloud apps and video calls, sites moving their phones to the internet, schools and practices with many devices online at once, and businesses that send large files, back up to the cloud or stream CCTV. If a slow afternoon or a lost connection costs you real money or goodwill, it is worth looking at.
If you are new to the idea, our general guide what is a leased line? explains leased lines without the BT detail, and how does a leased line work? follows the path your data takes.
What comes as standard
BT's BTnet terms list a set of standard service components that every BTnet service includes. In our own words:
- An access line connecting your site directly to BT's network, ending either on BT-managed equipment or, with wires only, on BT's network terminating equipment (NTE).
- Uncontended, symmetrical bandwidth at the port speed in your order, with upload matching download.
- Static IPv4 addresses assigned to your service, plus static or dynamic routed IP addresses. See static IP addresses.
- BT's Business Premium Care support level, the support terms that apply to the service.
- Cleanfeed filtering applied to internet traffic, using the Internet Watch Foundation's list. You can opt out by written notice to BT.
- No fair usage policy. BT's help pages confirm you can use as much data as you like.
On top of these, BT's terms set out service levels for availability, on-time delivery and latency. We cover those on the BTnet SLA page.
How BTnet reaches your site
Every BTnet service has two parts that are easy to mix up:
| Part | What it is | Examples in BT's terms |
|---|---|---|
| Bearer (access circuit) | The physical connection to your site, which sets the maximum capacity | GEA over FTTP access; 100Mbps, 1Gbps and 10Gbps Ethernet fibre bearers; 1Gbps and 10Gbps data centre access bearers |
| Port speed | The bandwidth you buy and use on that bearer | From 2Mbps to 10Gbps, in steps based on Ethernet speeds |
Because the port speed can sit below the bearer's capacity, you can change it later with Bandwidth Flex without replacing the line, as long as you stay within the bearer. Read more in leased line bearers explained and BTnet speeds.
One honest note on speed: BT's terms explain that the throughput you see in a speed test or an application will be lower than the port speed because of network and IP overheads, typically by 5-10%. That applies to any IP connection, and it is why our leased line speed test guide suggests testing over a wired connection.
The fibre work to reach your building may be carried out by Openreach, the network business that installs and maintains access lines across the UK. A site survey confirms the route before any work starts.
Not sure which option fits? Ask us
Tell us what you need and we will recommend the right option for your organisation, with a quote.
Managed equipment or wires only
BT's help pages say BTnet comes as standard with a fully managed router (customer premises equipment, or CPE), with options from Cisco and Cisco Meraki, or as wires only if you would rather provide and manage your own equipment. That gives three current plans:
- BTnet wires only: you connect your own router or firewall
- BTnet + Cisco router: BT supplies and fully manages a Cisco router, and you run your own security
- BTnet Meraki + BTnet Security: managed Cisco Meraki equipment with BT's BTnet Security service
Equipment that BT supplies stays BT's property. Its terms ask you to keep it safe, not to move or alter it without BT's consent, and to insure it against loss or damage. Compare the three on our BTnet leased line plans page.
Where BT's responsibility ends
BT's terms call the dividing line between BT's service and your own network the service management boundary. Knowing where it sits avoids confusion when something goes wrong:
| How BTnet is delivered | BT manages up to | You look after |
|---|---|---|
| With BT-managed equipment | The LAN port on the managed equipment | The cable from that port and everything on your network beyond it |
| Wires only | The network terminating unit (NTU) of the access line | The cable to your router, the router or firewall itself and your network |
| Into a data centre | The patch panel in the data centre's co-location room | Ordering a cross-connect from the data centre provider to your equipment |
BT also says it is not responsible for wireless range, signal or throughput where managed equipment supports Wi-Fi, and that it tests the service over an Ethernet cable rather than over wireless. Our BTnet support page explains how this affects fault reporting.
Is BTnet the right fit for you?
We will check it against your systems and requirements and recommend the right option.
Options you can add
Beyond the standard components, BTnet can be extended with:
- Resilience. Depending on your configuration and location, BT offers a second access line for failover, load balancing or a lower-speed back-up. See resilient BTnet.
- BTnet Security. A next-generation (Layer 7) firewall, malware protection, content (URL) filtering, intrusion detection and prevention, and regular security updates. BT offers it only with the Cisco Meraki managed equipment option, and its terms let you request it after go-live. See BTnet Security.
- BTnet Wi-Fi. Up to five Meraki Wi-Fi access points to extend wireless coverage across your site, alongside BT's Meraki equipment. Eligibility is confirmed at quote. See BTnet Wi-Fi.
- More IP addresses. Routed IP blocks, or your own Provider Independent Resources, with registration duties. See static IP addresses.
BTnet Express is a related variant that BT delivers with easier-to-install cabling and a shorter typical lead time. Whether it suits your site is confirmed at quote.
What BTnet is not
A few points that save surprises later:
- It is a business service. BTnet is sold to businesses and organisations, not as home broadband.
- It is internet access from UK sites, not a private network between your sites. Several sites can each have BTnet and connect securely over the internet, as our multi-site guide explains, but BTnet itself is a connection to the internet.
- It is not for card data. BT's terms state that 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 retail or hospitality site.
- It is not instant. Each line is surveyed and built for your site, so plan ahead. See lead times.
Getting a BTnet quote
To quote for BTnet we need your site address and postcode, what the connection will be used for, the speed you need now and in future, and whether you want managed equipment, security or resilience. See our leased line quote page for the full list, and BT leased line cost for what affects the price.
Contact us to talk it through. Forever Communications is an Authorised Supplier for BT and can help whether you have one site or several.
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
What is BTnet?
BTnet is BT's leased line internet service for business: a dedicated access line from your site into BT's network with uncontended, symmetrical bandwidth, static IPv4 addresses, managed equipment or wires only, and service levels in BT's terms.
Is BT net the same as BTnet?
Yes. People often type it as "BT net", but BT's product name is BTnet. It is listed by BT under dedicated internet access.
Is a BT leased line the same as BT broadband?
No. Broadband shares capacity between many users and is usually faster to download than upload. BTnet gives your site dedicated, symmetrical bandwidth with service levels in BT's terms. See leased line vs broadband.
Does BTnet include static IP addresses?
Yes. BT's terms list static assigned IPv4 addresses as standard, plus static or dynamic routed IP addresses. Addresses BT provides remain BT's property and end when the service ends. See static IP addresses.
What is Cleanfeed on BTnet?
Cleanfeed is a filter BT applies as standard to block access to sites on the Internet Watch Foundation's list of child sexual abuse content. BT's terms let you opt out by written notice.
Is there a data limit on BTnet?
No. BT's help pages say there is no fair usage policy on BTnet, so you can use as much data as you like.
Still have a question about BTnet?
Ask us and a member of our team will reply by email.