In short
A 1Gb leased line, or 1Gbps BTnet, is a dedicated connection with 1Gbps upload and 1Gbps download for your site, delivered on a 1Gbps bearer. Lower port speeds can also sit on a 1Gbps bearer and flex up within it. Real throughput is typically 5-10% below 1Gbps because of overheads.
Get a quote for 1Gbps BTnet
Tell us roughly how many users or sites you have and we will reply by email with options and a quote.
What a 1Gbps leased line is
A 1Gbps BTnet line has a port speed of 1Gbps on a 1Gbps Ethernet fibre bearer (or a 1Gbps data centre access bearer if the service ends in a data centre). Because BTnet bandwidth is symmetrical and uncontended, that gigabit is available in both directions and reserved for your site.
- 1Gbps download and 1Gbps upload, not a fast download with a slow upload
- Dedicated to your site, which BT describes as 100% uncontended
- No fair usage policy, according to BT's help pages
- Static IPv4 addresses as a standard part of the service
- BT's SLA for availability, on-time delivery and latency, with service credits under BT's terms
BT's plans show standard speeds up to 1Gbps, so a gigabit is the top of the standard range, with up to 10Gbps available beyond it. See BTnet leased line speeds for the full range.
Who needs 1Gbps
A gigabit leased line makes sense when your peak use, added up honestly, is well beyond 100Mbps, or when the work itself depends on moving large amounts of data quickly. Typical examples:
- Larger offices where many people are on video meetings and cloud apps at the same time
- Data-heavy work: design, video production, engineering models, medical imaging or large document sets
- Cloud backup and replication that needs to finish within a set window
- Cloud CCTV across a large site, streaming many cameras continuously
- Hub sites that other offices, warehouses or remote staff connect into over VPN
- Guest and public Wi-Fi for hotels, venues and busy reception areas, alongside staff traffic
If your needs are lighter today but growing, you do not need to buy 1Gbps of port speed on day one. You can put a lower speed on a 1Gbps bearer and flex up when you need to, as the next section explains. Our bandwidth sizing guide helps you work out your starting point.
Lower speeds on a 1Gbps bearer
The bearer is the physical access circuit; the port speed is the bandwidth you order on it. On BTnet, a 1Gbps bearer can carry lower port speeds, and BT's own published plan example is a 30Mbps or 50Mbps port speed over a 1Gbps service.
That gives you a simple growth path:
- Order the speed you need now on a 1Gbps bearer, for example a few hundred megabits.
- Flex up as demand grows. BT's help pages say you can flex within the capacity of your bearer with 72 hours' notice, with rental changing pro rata.
- Check the conditions. BT's terms say each flex is chargeable and runs for at least five Business Days, and a flex beyond the capacity of the BT equipment at your site needs new equipment and a new Minimum Term.
- Reach 1Gbps without a new access line, because the bearer already supports it.
BT's terms set bearer-based charges, such as cancellation, termination and Service Introduction Charges, by bearer type and size rather than port speed. That is worth knowing when you compare a smaller bearer with a 1Gbps one. See leased line bearers and port speeds and Bandwidth Flex.
Getting real 1Gbps throughput
At a gigabit, the line is rarely the slowest part of the chain. To see the speed you are paying for, everything between the line and the user needs to keep up.
| Part of the chain | What to check |
|---|---|
| Router or firewall | Its throughput with your security features switched on, not just its headline figure. On BTnet wires only this is your equipment. |
| Switches and cabling | Gigabit switch ports and cabling rated for gigabit speeds between the router and your users |
| Devices | A gigabit network adapter on any machine you test from |
| Wi-Fi | Wireless rarely delivers the full line rate to a single device; test on a cable first |
| Overheads | BT's terms put the typical reduction from port speed at 5-10%, varying by application |
BT tests a new BTnet service over an Ethernet cable and does not test wireless. Do the same when you check yours: our leased line speed test guide sets out a reliable method.
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.
What affects the cost of a 1Gb leased line
People often search for the cost of a 1Gb leased line in the UK. We do not publish prices, because every BTnet quote depends on the site, but the factors are clear:
- Port speed: a full 1Gbps costs more in rental than a lower speed on the same bearer
- Bearer: introduction, cancellation and termination charges follow the bearer type and size in BT's terms
- Contract term: the Minimum Term set in your order
- Plan: wires only, a managed Cisco router or BTnet Meraki, plus BTnet Security and BTnet Wi-Fi if you want them
- Resilience: a second access line for failover, load balancing or back-up adds its own bearer
- Your site: whether excess construction charges or wayleaves are needed to reach you
See BT leased line cost for more on each factor. Then ask us for a quote: contact us with your postcode and we will price 1Gbps alongside lower speeds on the same bearer, so you can see the difference.
Resilience at gigabit speeds
The more your business depends on the connection, the more a single line becomes a single point of failure. BT offers three resilience options for BTnet using a second access line: failover to a standby line, load balancing across two lines, or a lower-speed back-up line. Which one BT can provide depends on your configuration, routing protocol, network speed and what is available.
For a 1Gbps site, a common question is whether the second line needs to match the first. A backup leased line at a lower speed can keep essentials running, while load balancing uses both lines day to day. See resilient BTnet for the options.
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
How fast is a 1Gb leased line?
It has a port speed of 1Gbps in both directions. BT's terms say real throughput is typically 5-10% lower because of network and IP overheads, so expect wired speed tests a little under 1Gbps.
How much does a 1Gb leased line cost in the UK?
It depends on your site, bearer, contract term, plan, options and any extra construction, so we do not publish prices. Ask us for a quote. See BT leased line cost for the factors.
Do I need a 1Gbps leased line?
If your busiest hour adds up to well over 100Mbps, or your work involves moving large files, cloud backups or many cameras, 1Gbps is worth pricing. Our bandwidth sizing guide helps you check.
Can I have a lower speed on a 1Gbps bearer?
Yes. Lower port speeds can sit on a 1Gbps bearer, and BT's Bandwidth Flex lets you move up within it later, subject to BT's terms and your equipment.
Can BTnet be delivered over full fibre (FTTP)?
BT's terms refer to BTnet provided over Generic Ethernet Access on full fibre (FTTP). Whether that applies to your site, and at what speed, is confirmed when we check availability and quote.
Still have a question about 1Gbps BTnet?
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