Leased line meaning

A leased line is a dedicated, fixed‑capacity telecommunications circuit supplied by a communications provider for the exclusive use of a single customer. In practice it is a non‑switched, point‑to‑point private circuit (often fibre‑based Ethernet) used to link sites or to provide uncontended, symmetric internet access, supported by contractual service levels for bandwidth, latency and availability. The term is descriptive rather than a defined statutory concept, but is widely used in regulation and contracts, including Ofcom’s business connectivity/wholesale leased lines framework in the UK and ComReg’s leased line regulation in Ireland. Key legal features typically include exclusivity of capacity, fixed monthly rental, minimum term, installation and wayleave arrangements, maintenance and fault‑repair obligations, and limits on resale without authorisation. The circuit does not rely on Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) switching; customers may connect equipment that delivers internet or voice services over it, subject to any applicable authorisation, security and interception requirements. Usage and legal treatment are broadly consistent across England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland, with differences arising mainly from the separate Ofcom and ComReg regimes on market power, access, and price controls. Synonyms include private circuit, Ethernet leased line and wholesale leased line.