What is Uncontended Internet?

Uncontended internet is any internet connection that isn’t shared with other users. It’s a dedicated connection only used by one customer, which helps ensure a higher level of performance than standard shared connections. 

With typical ‘contended’ connections, bandwidth is shared among multiple customers. If you’re using a contended line, your internet performance might suffer during peak hours as you compete for bandwidth with other users. 

Uncontended internet can help businesses needing faster speeds and a more stable connection. But should you be using it for your business? Read on to find out.

Broadband contention explained

Broadband contention is when multiple users compete for bandwidth on a leased line. This typically happens during the ‘last mile’ – the transfer of data between the exchange and the premises it’s serving. 

If a connection has a contention ratio of 100:1, this means 100 premises are all sharing one connection and therefore competing for the same bandwidth. 

This is most noticeable during peak usage hours. You might experience slower speeds or even find your connection frequently dropping out.

This can cause problems for businesses, as it’s during these hours that internet performance is often most vital for business operations to take place.

If this sounds familiar, switching to an uncontended connection could be the best solution. With uncontended internet, the contention ratio is 1:1, leaving your business unaffected by activity from other users. 

The differences between contended and uncontended internet

To understand whether uncontended internet is the best choice for your business, it’s helpful to get to grips with what separates uncontended from contended connections. We’ve compiled the key differences into the table below for ease of comparison.

How does uncontended internet work?

Uncontended internet works by offering exclusive use of an internet connection to one premises. You are connected to the internet service provider’s (ISP) network through dedicated infrastructure so that you do not have to share bandwidth with other users. 

The way that the technology powering your uncontended line works varies depending on the type of network. Most uncontended connections in the UK will use one of two internet technologies: fibre leased lines or line of sight internet.  

With leased line internet, data usually travels through fibre optic cables from your ISP’s network to your business premises. Because it is a ‘leased’ line, the circuit is not accessible by any other users and you can take advantage of its full bandwidth without interruption. 

Line of sight internet (also known as ‘microwave internet’) works a little differently. Instead of relying on cable infrastructure, data travels between a transmission mast and an on-site receiver. This direct ‘line of sight’ network provides a dedicated connection with reliable speeds. 

The type of connection that you opt for will depend on your unique circumstances and is something we can help you figure out. Call us on 01254 476996 for a no-obligation consultation about your needs.

What are the benefits of uncontended internet?

Uncontended internet is a popular option for lots of businesses and organisations due to the range of benefits it offers. These include:

• Faster speeds and a more reliable connection – not sharing bandwidth with other users means you get the speeds you pay for at all times. You also benefit from a more consistent connection, which is great if you rely a lot on video conferencing or VoIP calls.

• Positive business impact – uncontended internet reduces the risk of downtime or fluctuating speeds. This can have a positive impact on your business by minimising operational delays, barriers to productivity and other issues that lead to lost revenue. 

• Potential to scale – if your business is growing, or you might need to increase your bandwidth demands in the future, a traditional contended connection will likely require costly upgrades and add-ons. Uncontended connections naturally have more bandwidth to play with, increasing the ability to scale with ease. 

• Better security – when your connection is shared with other users, it’s more vulnerable to network attacks. An uncontended connection is used by your business only, reducing the risk of cyber threats and making it a more secure option. 

The downside to uncontended internet is that it’s often more expensive, at least initially. This is because uncontended connections are more complex to install (although costs vary depending on the type of internet). You’ll also usually pay a higher monthly fee for the use of a dedicated line.

However, it can still work out more cost-efficient than having to pay for constant upgrades and early termination fees if regular broadband is not serving your needs.

Do I need uncontended internet?

Uncontended internet is best suited to businesses and organisations with heavy usage demands or that rely on a stable connection to carry out core tasks. Aside from large offices, it’s therefore also a popular choice for event WiFi and construction site WiFi.   

It’s rare that uncontended internet is needed for home use. However, there could be benefits if you’re a serious gamer or work from home and need a more consistent connection.

At Click, we can help you get connected within as little as 24 hours. Our hybrid internet and telecoms solutions use multiple technologies, including line of sight, low earth orbit (LEO) and fibre internet to deliver fast and reliable connections that are tailored to your needs. Contact us now to find out how we can help.

Uncontented internet FAQs

What is the difference between contended and uncontended broadband?

Contended broadband is when you share your connection with multiple other users. Uncontended broadband is when you have your own dedicated connection that’s available for your exclusive use. Uncontended broadband offers higher speeds and a more reliable connection.

What does uncontended bandwidth mean?

Having uncontended bandwidth means that no other users are competing for the same bandwidth allowance as you. Unlike contended connections, where multiple users compete for the same limited amount of bandwidth, uncontended connections remain unaffected by other users’ activities. This leads to lower latency, consistent speeds and a more reliable connection.

What is a contention ratio?

A contention ratio is the number of different users sharing one internet connection. With uncontended internet, the content ratio is 1:1, whereas contended connections often have a ratio of around 20:1. This means 20 different users are all competing for the same bandwidth.

Is uncontended internet worth it?

Uncontended internet can be worth the additional cost if you find your business is regularly being disrupted by internet dropouts or fluctuating speeds. Compared to the potential loss of revenue from diminished productivity and disruptions to operations, it can sometimes work out more cost-efficient overall.