MPLS Network

What is an MPLS Network?

An MPLS Network (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a private, managed WAN solution which uses label-based forwarding to prioritise and route traffic across a service provider’s core network. Unlike traditional IP routing, where each router makes forwarding decisions based on the destination IP address, MPLS attaches short labels to data packets. These labels guide packets along pre-defined, optimised paths (Label Switched Paths, or LSPs), resulting in lower latency, higher reliability, and predictable performance.

Enquire about MPLS

If you want to find out more about MPLS, get in touch with one of our experts today.

Read more about the differences between SD-WAN vs MPLS.

Benefits

Centralised Management of Multi Sites
Guaranteed Performance & QoS
Reliability & Uptime
Security & Isolation
Scalability & Manageability
Flexible Hybrid Options

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Managed MPLS Network

A Managed MPLS Network service means your provider handles all of the design, deployment, monitoring, maintenance and optimisation of the MPLS network. Typical features include:

Site-to-site connectivity setup with edge routers or PE/CE devices; configuring LSPs or traffic engineering where needed
Implementation of QoS / CoS policies to ensure mission-critical applications are prioritised
Monitoring of performance metrics (latency, jitter, packet loss) and proactive fault detection
Service Level Agreements (SLAs) guaranteeing uptime, latency, support response & repair times
Security features: encryption, segmentation, and controls over who can access which parts of the network
Capacity planning and scale-out: adding new sites, increasing bandwidth, updating capacity without disrupting service

MPLS Network Benefits

Where reliability, security and predictable performance are non-negotiable, an MPLS Network delivers exactly what you need. By using label-switched paths and built-in traffic-engineering, MPLS ensures critical applications such as voice, video conferencing, real-time cloud services or transaction processing get the priority and consistency they require.

For organisations running a multi-site estate or those that depend on handling sensitive data, the logical isolation offered by MPLS gives peace of mind – your traffic is kept private, performance is tightly controlled, and SLAs are enforceable

Here are some of the key benefits businesses gain from using an MPLS Network:

Benefit	What it means in practice
Guaranteed Performance & QoS	Set up Classes of Service (CoS) or Quality of Service (QoS) levels so that critical traffic (voice, video, business applications) gets priority and meets latency/jitter/packet loss targets.
Reliability & Uptime	MPLS networks are designed with built-in redundancy and rapid failover mechanisms, helping ensure business continuity even when paths or links degrade.
Security & Isolation	Traffic on an MPLS network is logically isolated from other users, making it more secure than purely internet-based connections.
Scalability & Manageability	As organisations grow or add more sites, MPLS makes it easier to extend the network with centralised management and reduced router overhead.
Flexible Hybrid Options	MPLS can integrate with other network types (leased lines, fibre, broadband, or mobile circuits) to build a unified WAN that balances performance and cost.

MPLS vs Leased Lines vs SD-WAN

When considering WAN infrastructure, it’s crucial to understand how MPLS stacks up against other leading options like leased lines and SD-WAN. Leased lines offer undoubted performance and the highest level of physical separation, while SD-WAN brings flexibility and often lower cost by using broadband and multiple link types. An MPLS Network sits between the two: offering many of the performance guarantees and stability of leased lines, but with greater agility and network scale-out possibilities.

Here is a comparison to help you decide if an MPLS Network is the right choice:

Feature	MPLS Network	Leased Line	SD-WAN
Cost	Higher ongoing cost relative to internet-based links due to dedicated paths, provider hardware and SLA guarantees.	Often high, especially for high bandwidth or long distances, since it’s fully dedicated.	More cost-effective when mixing broadband or internet links within the WAN architecture.
Performance Guarantees	Strong; predictable performance with provider-controlled paths and traffic engineering.	Very strong; dedicated physical circuits deliver low latency and symmetric speeds.	Can approach MPLS performance with SLAs and dynamic routing, but may be affected by internet variability.
Flexibility & Agility	Good for adding sites, but provisioning can take longer and often requires provider input.	Less flexible when scaling; upgrades may involve significant physical changes.	Highly flexible; new sites and policies can be deployed quickly via software.
Security & Isolation	Provides logical isolation; traffic is kept private from other users on the network.	Highest security, as circuits are fully dedicated.	Relies on strong configuration and encryption, as some links use the public internet.
Ideal Use Case	Enterprises with multiple sites, high-volume voice/video, and strict SLA requirements.	Organisations needing point-to-point, latency-sensitive connectivity (e.g. between data centres).	Businesses seeking cost efficiency, cloud integration, and rapid scalability across multiple sites.
Other Options	Enquire about MPLS	Find out more about Leased Lines	Find out more about SD WAN

Why Choose Us for Your MPLS Network

Deep relationships with UK MPLS backbone providers – ensuring resilient, low-latency routing
Tailored designs: mapping network performance to your business-critical application needs (voice, video, data)
SLAs you can trust with response times, uptime guarantees and full support
Transparent cost structure, so you see what you pay for – no hidden fees or surprises
UK-based support team, expert engineers, fast deployment

Enquire about MPLS

If you want to find out more about MPLS networks, get in touch with one of our experts today.

Read more about the differences between SD-WAN vs MPLS.

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?Is a leased line the same as dedicated internet access? ?What is a lease line vs leased line internet? ?What is a leased line? ?What’s the difference between a leased line and Ethernet? ?What are the different types of leased lines? View all FAQs

Yes. Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) is another way of describing the lease line service where the internet connection is not shared, giving exclusivity, symmetric speed, and strong SLAs. Read our blog What is Dedicated Internet Access vs a Leased Line?.

“Lease line” is often a mis-spelling or shorthand; the correct term is leased line. “Leased line internet” emphasises that the leased line is used to provide your internet connectivity. They all refer to the same type of dedicated service.

A leased line is a dedicated internet line. Unlike business broadband which is shared amongst other businesses, a leased line isn’t shared with anyone else. This means a leased line can give you guaranteed symmetrical speeds, enhanced reliability and unrivalled speeds to make sure your business gets the connectivity service it needs.

A leased line and Ethernet are essentially the same. Dedicated business internet access using a superfast Ethernet cable is known by many names, including leased line, Ethernet or Dedicated Internet Access.

There are several different types of leased lines available. All suit different budgets and different business needs. They include:

Ethernet in the First Mile (EFM) – EFM provides an end-to-end solution using multiple copper wires to connect your business to the Ethernet core network. Ideal where fibre Ethernet is not currently available or would be costly to install.

Generic Ethernet Access (GEA) or Ethernet over Fibre to the Cabinet (EoFTTC) – A hybrid solution where existing fibre or copper cables connect your business to the street cabinet before a dedicated Ethernet line carries your data to the core network.

Leased Line or Fibre Ethernet – The ultimate end-to-end connectivity solution which offers unparalleled levels of speed and reliability. It can be implemented in most locations whether fibre is currently available or not.

Fibre Flex Leased Line – Commit to a low cost minimum bandwidth i.e. 200Mb and you will get burstable bandwidth of up to 1Gb when available, at no extra cost.

Point-to-Point – Perfect for connecting two or more offices in different locations and ensures your data is secure and your network performance is more reliable.

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