If we assume that a gigabit symmetric service was being taken out of necessity rather than simply a nice-to-have then it's not likely that any bonded DSL or 4G/5G load balanced option is going to provide anywhere near the service required.

I'm kind of surprised that someone's requirements would jump from whatever you're currently getting (presumably FTTC from a distant cabinet) to a gigabit leased line, but it wouldn't be unheard of. If the OP explains their usage then people can make more informed suggestions.

No need to assume, as OP says it above:

“Went with the 1GB circuit, because i thought even if we only ended up needing around half of that, we've got scale for expansion.”

Following on, I’m not sure how familiar you are with recent leased line costs, but there isn’t a simple straight linear cost to bandwidth ratio on a 1 gig bearer. So for example a 500 access on 1000 bearer circuit isn’t 50% of the cost of a 1000 access on 1000 bearer service. Once you’re at the cost of gig bearer there’s little incentive to stay at a lower access speed as the cost uplift is often not existent and the trend therefore is to take the full Gig access from Day 1.

Beyond that I believe the OP is considering FTTPoD which (now given the huge uplift in the ECCs) has a lower capital outlay over leased line - but still has a significant construction time penalty.

Otherwise if you “need” more than several hundred Mbps service, then in the OPs circumstances, there really isn’t much else moderating the “leap” to a gig.

Don't leased lines run straight back to the exchange? They certainly don't use the GEA network, i.e. the FTTC cabinets or the aggregation points that feed the cabinets.

There's also the possibility that the person giving the original quote looked at a map and gave a rule-of-thumb initial estimate, forgetting about the river or motorway in the way.

In reply to a post by j0hn83:

In reply to a post by MHC:

In reply to a post by Whitehall11:

Just jumped off a call with AM asking for an explanation for the significant cost change - In their words: 'The survey information entered at the beginning of the order was not inputted correctly', with them citing 'major' civil engineering works needed to deliver the service.

When i pushed and asked for the detail on this, they declined to comment saying they didn't have that detail at hand to speculate.

They've escalated it up the chain to see what can be done, but it looks like they've got grounds to change this ECC until any money had been paid.

That is THEIR error. You have proceeded in good faith based on the quotation which forms part of the order.

You need to push them to find out the details and how they intend to resolve it with no additional cost to you and in line with the order placed based on their quotation.

You're dreaming.

They are preliminary contracts subject to a full survey.

It's just the same as paying for an FTTPoD survey is actually placing an order, with a contract signed.
They are still allowed to increase the quote after doing a survey.

Leased line providers aren't going to have contracts where they can't change the ECC's after doing a survey. They would go bust pretty quick.

The OP hadn't even paid!

It will be covered off in the T&Cs of the leased line order with the CP.

I just found the appropriate clause in my order. It’s pretty unequivocal:

“If, following carrying out the surveys as are referred to at clause 6.6, it is apparent that to enable the Data Services to be provided, infrastructure is required in addition to that which is already in place, then XXX will provide the Customer with a quotation for undertaking such work, and the Customer may either accept that quotation or not accept that quotation. If the Customer accepts the quotation then XXX shall arrange for the work to be carried out to install the infrastructure required and the cost thereof shall be paid by the Customer in accordance with the quotation, which shall be in addition to other costs payable by the Customer. If the Customer does not accept the quotation then either the Customer or XXX may terminate the Contract to provide Data Services and XXX will not be obliged to provide Data Services to the Customer.”

The key point above is “if, following carrying out surveys”.

Doubtless they will claim they hadn’t yet surveyed and so the leaves the option for the OP to accept or drop the order without penalty.

In city or more built up areas they will probably blow to/from a local node and pick up spare fibre going back to the exchange. Won’t necessarily run a new fibre bundle directly from the exchange/POP. But it all depends.

Large ECCs indicate there is no pre-existing fibre nearby to leverage and/or large civils works are needed to bring the fibre to the premises. No surprise for the OP on a remote rural location.

The aggregator my CP uses (Virtual1) has a quoting / planning portal which enables them to see what fibre and node capacity is like in the area. However they still rely on a physical survey to confirm construction costs.

Morning all,

Thank you for your recommendations - Inparticularly, Pheasant for dropping me some details which i've managed to get some kind of ball rolling already this morning so many thanks, just to see what my options still are on a Leased Line.

Our FTTC Cab that we've got at the moment is a BDUK Infill if that gives indication to where we're talking location wise! Simply, we've expanded quite heavily over lockdown and that places pressure on what connections we need to serve our business and the servers that we run from it, and i've come to the conclusion speed is the answer.

As for FTTPoD, it's the construction time length that is of my concern, and it's the beefy upload we're after more than the download i'd say!

Vodafone are still playing hardball and have offered me a means of escape to drop the order with no fees, i do think as someone has already said, they missed off the big hill that is in the way of any known fiber aggregation point that i know of!

If you're at the point where you have expanded and are hosting servers then your best option in the short term might be to look to move the servers to a datacentre to take some of the load away.

I guess you're on a single FTTC line at the moment, what sort of speeds does that give you?

In reply to a post by jpm:

If you're at the point where you have expanded and are hosting servers then your best option in the short term might be to look to move the servers to a datacentre to take some of the load away.

I guess you're on a single FTTC line at the moment, what sort of speeds does that give you?

Currently getting around 70-75 Down / 18 Up on the FTTC so the speed increase need is present.

From a server perspective, i'm looking to get us moved to a local data centre where we can put our own kit in as it's rather custom and we do have off site backup, but i'd be much more comfortable having some strong backup on our side as well, which requires a beefy connection!

If you feel comfortable giving out your postcode / part of your postcode then we might be able to make suggestions. I'm assuming the Vodafone survey was based on an Openreach tail but there may be other networks closer to you.

Also try sticking your address in linebroker.co.uk