What Is MPLS and How Does It Work?

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a private networking technology used to connect multiple sites over dedicated circuits. It routes traffic across predefined paths using label-based forwarding, allowing consistent performance and defined quality of service for business-critical applications.

What Is the Difference Between MPLS and SD-WAN?

MPLS uses dedicated, carrier-managed circuits with controlled routing and predictable performance. SD-WAN overlays software-defined control across multiple transport types, including internet connectivity, and dynamically selects routes based on real-time network conditions.

Is MPLS Still Relevant in Modern Networks?

Yes. MPLS remains widely used for organisations that require predictable latency, strong quality of service controls and private connectivity between sites. It is often deployed alongside SD-WAN in hybrid WAN architectures.

Is MPLS More Secure than Internet-based Connectivity?

MPLS operates over private carrier networks rather than the public internet, which reduces exposure to external threats. Additional security controls such as firewalls and segmentation can be layered within the WAN design.

What Does Britannic’s MPLS Wan Include?

Britannic’s MPLS WAN includes private circuit connectivity between sites, quality of service configuration, carrier-agnostic design options and integration with public cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud.

Can Britannic MPLS WAN Integrate with Cloud Platforms?

Yes. Direct connectivity to Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud can be incorporated into the MPLS routing structure, allowing cloud environments to operate as part of the wider private WAN.

Does Britannic Provide Resilience and Circuit Diversity?

Primary and secondary circuits, alternative carrier options and physical path diversity can be incorporated into the WAN design. This supports high availability across multi-site environments.

Is Britannic MPLS WAN Managed and Monitored?

Yes. MPLS circuits and associated infrastructure are monitored through a dedicated Network Operations Centre, providing visibility into performance, availability and utilisation across the estate.

Britannic | MPLS WAN

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Why Choose Britannic For MPLS WAN?

With over 40 years of experience delivering secure connectivity, Britannic has extensive expertise designing and managing private MPLS networks for multi-site organisations. Carrier-agnostic relationships, diverse routing options and structured network governance enable resilient, high-performance WAN environments built around defined operational requirements rather than a single provider model. Continuous monitoring through a dedicated Network Operations Centre ensures performance, availability and service quality are maintained across the entire estate.

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Features & Capabilities of Britannic’s MPLS WAN

Private, Dedicated MPLS Infrastructure

Connectivity is delivered over dedicated MPLS circuits rather than the public internet. Traffic is routed across label-switched paths within a controlled private network environment, forming a defined wide area network between sites.

Quality of Service (QoS) Traffic Management

Traffic classification and prioritisation policies are applied to support voice, video and data applications. Bandwidth allocation and routing rules are defined according to application type and operational requirements.

Multi-Site Network Connectivity

Head offices, branch locations and data centres are connected within a single MPLS routing domain. Sites operate as part of a unified private network with centrally managed routing policies.

Carrier-Agnostic Circuit Options

Circuits can be provisioned through multiple carrier providers rather than being restricted to a single network. Access technologies may include Ethernet, fibre and backup services. WAN design remains independent of any one provider model.

Circuit And Physical Path Diversity

Primary and secondary circuits can be deployed for resilience. Connectivity diversity may include alternative carriers, backup access methods and physically separate points of presence (PoPs) extending from building entry through to the exchange.

High-Speed Connectivity

Access speeds range from lower-bandwidth services such as ADSL through to fibre connections up to 10Gbps. Circuits are provisioned according to defined throughput and capacity requirements.

Public Cloud Connectivity

Direct connectivity to Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud is supported within the MPLS routing structure. Cloud platforms can be incorporated into the private WAN architecture as part of the wider network design.

Interconnect Access

Connectivity is available to a broad ecosystem of UK data centre providers through established interconnect relationships. Existing infrastructure can be integrated into the MPLS environment without redesigning the core WAN.

Converged Voice, Video And Data Support

Multiple traffic types operate across the same MPLS infrastructure. Routing and prioritisation policies manage real-time and data traffic within a single WAN environment.

Secure Core Segmentation

Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) segmentation separates traffic flows within the core network. Firewall controls and secure SIP connectivity can be implemented where required.

Scalable Bandwidth Provisioning

Bandwidth can be provisioned and adjusted based on defined capacity requirements. Circuit upgrades and regrades are supported within the MPLS framework as demand changes.

MPLS WAN Services & Enhancements

Services and Enhancements	Description
Proactive Network Management	Continuous monitoring through Britannic’s Network Operations Centre provides visibility into circuit performance, device availability and utilisation. Alerts and diagnostics support investigation of emerging issues across the WAN estate.
Managed Router and Edge Device Support	Edge routers and associated network devices can be supplied, configured and maintained as part of the managed service. Firmware updates, configuration adjustments and lifecycle management are delivered within defined support frameworks.
External WAN Monitoring	Monitoring can extend beyond MPLS circuits to include third-party or internet-based connections. This provides broader oversight across hybrid or multi-provider connectivity environments.
SIP And Voice Integration	MPLS connectivity can be integrated with Britannic’s SIP platform (NetX) for converged voice and data services. Session border controllers secure SIP traffic within the WAN architecture.
Cloud Onboarding and Interconnect Services	Direct onboarding into Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud can be supported through established interconnect relationships. Cloud environments can be incorporated into the MPLS routing structure.
Network Design and Architecture Review	WAN architecture can be reviewed periodically to assess circuit performance, bandwidth allocation and resilience options. Capacity planning and optimisation recommendations form part of the ongoing service engagement.
Scalability And Circuit Regrades	Bandwidth upgrades, secondary circuits and resilience enhancements can be provisioned as operational requirements change. Carrier coordination and provisioning management are handled as part of the service extension.

Want To Learn More About Britannic’s MPLS WAN?

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Business Benefits Of MPLS WAN

Provides predictable, stable connectivity for business-critical applications, reducing the risk of performance variability across sites.
Maintains consistent voice and video quality through defined traffic prioritisation and controlled routing paths.
Reduces exposure to public internet risks by operating over a private, carrier-managed network infrastructure.
Supports multi-site operations with a unified WAN environment, simplifying connectivity between offices, data centres and cloud platforms.

Enhances operational resilience through circuit diversity and structured failover options.
Enables controlled cloud connectivity with defined routing into Azure, AWS and Google Cloud environments.
Supports long-term network planning through scalable bandwidth and structured circuit upgrades.
Provides clear visibility into performance and utilisation through continuous monitoring and operational oversight.

Need Greater Flexibility Across Your WAN?

Learn More About SD-WAN

MPLS WAN FAQ’s

MPLS (Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a private networking technology used to connect multiple sites over dedicated circuits. It routes traffic across predefined paths using label-based forwarding, allowing consistent performance and defined quality of service for business-critical applications.
MPLS uses dedicated, carrier-managed circuits with controlled routing and predictable performance. SD-WAN overlays software-defined control across multiple transport types, including internet connectivity, and dynamically selects routes based on real-time network conditions.
Yes. MPLS remains widely used for organisations that require predictable latency, strong quality of service controls and private connectivity between sites. It is often deployed alongside SD-WAN in hybrid WAN architectures.
MPLS operates over private carrier networks rather than the public internet, which reduces exposure to external threats. Additional security controls such as firewalls and segmentation can be layered within the WAN design.
Britannic’s MPLS WAN includes private circuit connectivity between sites, quality of service configuration, carrier-agnostic design options and integration with public cloud platforms such as Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud.
Yes. Direct connectivity to Microsoft Azure, AWS and Google Cloud can be incorporated into the MPLS routing structure, allowing cloud environments to operate as part of the wider private WAN.
Primary and secondary circuits, alternative carrier options and physical path diversity can be incorporated into the WAN design. This supports high availability across multi-site environments.
Yes. MPLS circuits and associated infrastructure are monitored through a dedicated Network Operations Centre, providing visibility into performance, availability and utilisation across the estate.

Reliable, High-Performance Connectivity with MPLS WAN

Contact Britannic to learn how an MPLS WAN solution can provide your organisation with reliable, scalable connectivity and expert support to keep your network running smoothly.