EB-SA stands for Engineered Broadband-Symmetric Assured and is considered the newer and much more competitive alternative to SDSL connections.

• Same speed for upload and download
• 1:1 contention
• 512 kb/s symmetric to 2 Mb/s symmetric bandwidth
• Available in network areas supporting ADSL2+ Annex M technology

How it works

A standard BT PSTN line is required for the EB-SA service to sit on. An EB-SA tail is then connected to an LLU operators network in the local BT exchange, and the other end into your ADSL router.

Actual speeds are determined on the distance of the PSTN line to the exchange, the line quality, and local environment conditions affecting the line. The typical fault response is 24 hours.

EB-SA vs SDSL

If EB-SA is available in your area, then you should definitely consider it over and above SDSL which is now considered old technology and legacy.

EB-SA is over 50% cheaper compared to an SDSL circuit, and installation costs are nearly 80% cheaper too. This combined with a 1:1 contention ratio and prioritisation across the xDSL network, you can be sure that this circuit is better than SDSL.

Availability

EB-SA is available in certain areas where there is a compatible LLU operator in your local BT exchange. Please call us on 0845 408 1212 to check if EB-SA is available in your area.

Your guaranteed speed will be limited on the length of the telephone cable to the exchange, as ADSL technology means that the available bandwidth decreases with length. (For a service where bandwidth needs to be guaranteed, please have a look at our Leased Line options.

EB-SA vs Leased Lines

EB-SA connections benefit from being a lot cheaper to rent than leased lines per month. However, leased lines benefit from increased and guaranteed speeds and faster response times for faults or problems.

• Availability
  • EB-SA: Selected telephone exchanges
  • SDSL: Selected telephone exchanges
  • Leased Line: Nearly all locations
• Installation
  • EB-SA: £99.99+ router cost
  • SDSL: £300+ router cost
  • Leased Line: Free
• Rentals
  • EB-SA: from £89.99/ month for 500 kb/s up/ down
  • SDSL: from £220+/month
  • Leased Line: Bespoke pricing given a post code
• Contention
  • 1:1 for EB-SA & Leased Line
  • 10:1 for SDSL
• Fault response
  • EB-SA: 24 hours
  • SDSL: 24 hours
  • Leased Line: 4 hours

ADSL Failover Enquiry Form