EFM or leased line? EFM is being retired - here is what to buy instead
EFM was a sensible copper alternative to fibre. It no longer is. A like-for-like comparison with FTTP and leased lines, plus a migration checklist.
EFM (Ethernet in the First Mile) is bonded copper Ethernet: several copper pairs combined to give a symmetrical, guaranteed rate with an SLA, in places fibre had not reached. It met a real demand for symmetrical business access. EFM is no longer available to order, so this guide is mainly for businesses still running an EFM circuit and planning a move. If you are choosing a connection now, the real comparison is usually FTTP against a fibre leased line.
Why EFM is now a legacy option
EFM has been withdrawn from new supply and is no longer available to order. Existing circuits still run, but they sit on a copper network that is being retired, so the sensible step is to plan a move to FTTP, FibreLight or a fibre leased line before a deadline forces it.
What replaces it
- FTTP on a business tariff: fast downloads, lower upload speeds and business support; compare FibreLight for symmetric connectivity at a similar price point, subject to quote
- A fibre leased line (dedicated Ethernet or dedicated internet access): symmetrical, uncontended, with a contracted fix time and service credits
- SOGEA: still a current option where full fibre has not been built, on a best-efforts basis
- Managed or 5G fixed wireless: useful as a fast-to-deliver bridge or a diverse backup path, not usually a primary circuit for a busy site
How the replacement compares to EFM
EFM typically delivered 10 to 35Mbps symmetrical with an SLA. A fibre leased line commonly starts at 100Mbps symmetrical with a contracted fix time. FTTP is usually cheaper, though it is contended and its service terms are weaker. Pricing for any of these depends on postcode, carrier, bandwidth, any excess construction charges and contract term, so compare quotes for your address rather than relying on averages.
Choosing between FTTP and a leased line
- Choose FTTP where an hour offline is inconvenient rather than costly, and budget matters more than guarantees
- Choose a leased line where the site trades over the connection, where you host anything on site, or where a contract commits you to a response time
- Choose a leased line where upload matters as much as download, because it is symmetrical by design
- Whichever you pick, cost a second, diverse circuit before you decide you cannot afford one
If you are still on EFM today
- Check the contract end date and any early-termination position now, before the provider gives you a migration date
- Check FTTP and leased-line availability at the address, including any excess construction charge for the leased line
- Order the replacement early: leased lines still take weeks to deliver, and longer where civils are needed
- Run both circuits in parallel over the cutover, then keep the old one only as long as the new one needs to prove itself
- Re-point any static IP dependencies, VPNs, firewall rules and DNS records before the switch, not on the day
- Document current QoS settings for voice, static IP allocations and firewall or VPN configuration so the replacement can be built to match
- Confirm carrier feasibility at the address before committing to a cutover date
The short answer
EFM can no longer be ordered, so a new connection will be FTTP, FibreLight or a fibre leased line. If you already have EFM, plan a needs-led migration on your own timetable, with the new circuit running in parallel before the old one is ceased.
Next steps
Frequently asked questions
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