What internet speed does my business actually need?

This depends on your number of users and applications. VoIP requires approximately 100 Kbps per call. Cloud applications and video conferencing need more. The UK average business broadband speed is 131 Mbps, but 20% of UK businesses report insufficient internet speeds for their needs.

How long does a leased line take to install?

Standard installation takes 30-90 working days depending on whether existing fibre infrastructure reaches your premises. The critical pricing factor is distance — premises beyond 20 miles from a provider's nearest Point of Presence see costs rise 30-50% for the same speed.

How much does a business leased line cost in the UK?

A 100 Mbps leased line costs £240-£320 per month on a 36-month term in urban areas. 500 Mbps costs £411-£673 per month, and 1 Gbps ranges from £437-£994 per month. CityFibre and alternative providers typically quote 20-35% below BT and Vodafone for equivalent products.

Is SD-WAN better than a traditional leased line?

SD-WAN can reduce WAN costs by approximately 50% compared to traditional MPLS. The UK SD-WAN market is projected to grow from $4.8 billion in 2025 to $14.6 billion by 2031. SD-WAN is complementary to — not a replacement for — dedicated leased lines for primary connectivity.

Comparison

MPLS vs SD-WAN: Which Is Best for Multi-Site Businesses?

A practical comparison for UK businesses — covering features, costs, and which option suits different requirements.

Key Facts

99.9%uptime SLA guaranteed on business leased lines

£3.7bnlost by UK businesses to internet outages in 2023 (Beaming)

79.5%of UK premises have full fibre (FTTP) coverage (Q3 2025)

£240-£320monthly cost for a 100 Mbps leased line in urban areas

Last updated: March 2026

MPLS vs SD-WAN

Feature	MPLS	SD-WAN
Best For	Depends on requirements	Depends on requirements
UK Availability	Widely available	Widely available
Typical Cost	Varies	Varies
Complexity	Varies	Varies

When to Choose Each Option

Guidance based on your business requirements.

Choose MPLS When

Your business has specific requirements that favour this approach. Budget and resources align with this solution. Your existing infrastructure supports it

Choose SD-WAN When

Your business needs a different approach. You have different budget considerations. Your team has relevant experience

Cost Considerations

Both MPLS and SD-WAN have different cost profiles. The right choice depends on your business size, existing infrastructure, and specific requirements. AMVIA can help you evaluate which option delivers the best value for your situation.

The AMVIA Recommendation

For UK businesses with multiple sites moving to cloud-first working, SD-WAN offers better value than MPLS. It provides traffic prioritisation, failover, and centralised management across all sites — without the long lead times and rigid pricing of MPLS circuits. AMVIA designs and manages SD-WAN deployments for multi-site SMEs from as little as £150 per site per month.

Get an SD-WAN Quote