If your business is reliant on the Internet - let's face it, which businesses aren't today - then you'll know the value of a reliable and fast broadband connection. When your broadband becomes sluggish, efficiency can fall and work levels slip. This of course costs you money and time; so what is the solution?

Well, you can of course try to get your broadband provider to increase your bandwidth; but this won't guarantee a complete eradication of down-time and slow periods during times of high volume. Then there's the option to invest in a leased line.

What is a leased line?

Essentially it is where you have your own unique connection. Whilst most broadband is shared across thousands of other subscribers, your leased line comes directly from the source.

Whilst there's often nothing wrong with sharing your Internet connection, when the service becomes overstretched your bandwidth provision can slip. If the bandwidth does lower, then your business will be stuck with decreased speed and possible down time issues.

This is all basically a dilution effect, where multiple channels from a single source can drain the strength and speed that the hub can provide. If you can eliminate this entirely, then you should be able to experience super-fast broadband and limited downtime.

So what are the benefits?

Well, efficiency is certainly a key benefit. Businesses thrive on having the right tools for staff to be able to carry out their duties effectively. In the modern environment one of the most important, certainly in the office environment, is the Internet. Therefore, making sure that each member of your team has fast, uninterrupted access is vital.

Also, if something does go wrong, you won't have to talk with dozens of representatives before finally getting an answer. As leased lines come from a single source, you always have the ability to go straight to your provider, identify the problem and you will often be dealt with as a priority. This means that whenever an issue does arise (day or night) somebody should be on hand to provide swift assistance.

The line will also often come with its own inbuilt security, ensuring that any potentially damaging entities can't get into your system and that your data remains secure. With the increased concerns about online safety and the more advanced ways that hackers are able to obtain information or create havoc, this high level of protection can provide real peace of mind.

Costs should be easier to manage too. You'll pay a set fee for the actual leasing of your line each month and that is it. All other fees should be bundled into this single payment and you shouldn't be stung if you use more bandwidth in a particular month. There's no issue with upgrades, added security paying for repairs or even installation.

All in all, the leased line is the perfect solution for any business that lives and dies by its broadband connection. If you demand high speeds, no downtime and constantly accessible maintenance for your service then nothing really comes close.

Of course there is a cost attached to all of this connectivity, but most large businesses would see it as one well worth paying. Whilst we might want to take Internet providers at face value over how much bandwidth we'll receive, there are rarely any guarantees on a shared line. When you use a leased line though, you are master of your own online destiny.