Dedicated line
Dedicated line
(also leased line)
Dedicated line definition
A dedicated line is a private internet connection — or a connection that an organization doesn’t share with others. These lines are typically used by businesses and organizations that rely on the internet to function (e.g., hospitals or schools). There are two main types of dedicated lines — fiber-leased lines and wireless leased lines.
See also: fiber optic switch
Dedicated vs. shared lines
- Dedicated lines offer exclusive connectivity between two points. They’re ideal for businesses that need uninterrupted performance and are great for private networks, voice communication, and critical operations.
- Shared lines, on the other hand, involve multiple entities sharing network resources. These lines are common in residential internet services and smaller businesses. While cost-effective, shared lines may be slower during peak usage because the bandwidth is shared among users.
Dedicated line use cases
- Business networks. Dedicated lines (e.g., T1, T3, and Ethernet) help businesses connect multiple offices securely. Dedicated lines facilitate uninterrupted data sharing, video conferencing, and access to cloud services.
- Home networking. For households, dedicated lines like DSL and fiber optic connections provide stable and fast internet access.
- University and school networks. Educational institutions use dedicated lines to provide high-speed internet access to students and staff across campus.
Dedicated line types
- Fiber-leased lines use optical fiber cables to send data and are known for their high speed, reliability, and stability.
- Wireless leased lines use radio waves (or microwave technology) to create dedicated wireless connections between two points. They offer greater flexibility.