MPLS Is Breaking More

You Asked. We Listened. You told us in polls and emails what's breaking your network: circuits that cost too much, reliability that's slipping, and complexity you can't get ahead of.

So we're running a three-part series on the WAN. Not the buzzwords, but the real cracks inside today's networks:

• Part 1: Reliability myths (this issue)

• Part 2: Branch configuration chaos

• Part 3: Technical debt and new consumption models

Let's start with why the reliability premium you're paying may not match the performance you're getting.

What’s Actually Happening

MPLS was designed for predictable branch sites and steady traffic flows. But enterprise networking changed while MPLS pricing stayed the same.

The investment pattern shift: Carriers are prioritizing 5G networks and fiber expansion over legacy service improvements. MPLS infrastructure receives maintenance to keep it functional, not capital investment to modernize it.

The troubleshooting gap: When branches report performance issues, MPLS provides limited visibility into what's actually happening. IT teams spend hours diagnosing problems they can't see while waiting for carrier response.

The skills reality: As networking evolves toward software-defined models, fewer engineers specialize in traditional MPLS troubleshooting, which can extend resolution times.

Why SLAs Don't Tell the Full Story

Carriers point to 99.9% uptime commitments. But SLA fine print reveals gaps:

• The outage clock starts when carriers acknowledge an issue, not when users first report problems

• "Four-hour repair" commitments often stretch longer with no penalty

• Performance degradation that doesn't constitute a full outage isn't covered

Meanwhile, your business feels every minute of slow applications and dropped connections, regardless of what the SLA says.

The Hidden Cost Reality

Every MPLS performance issue costs more than the monthly circuit fee:

• Truck rolls: Dispatching staff to branch locations often exceeds monthly circuit costs

• Lost productivity: Teams sitting idle during outages represent real revenue impact

• IT troubleshooting overhead: Hours spent chasing issues with limited visibility into carrier networks

These costs don't appear on telecom invoices. They show up in operational expenses and lost opportunities.

The Broadband Evolution

Consumer demand transformed business broadband. Streaming services, video conferencing, and remote work forced ISPs to upgrade infrastructure and improve reliability.

The result: business broadband in many markets now offers uptime that approaches traditional MPLS levels, often with better visibility and faster issue resolution.

The "unreliable" option quietly became more dependable while you continued paying premium prices for "enterprise-grade" circuits.

A Quick Reality Check

Ask your team these questions:

1. Repair experience: How long did your last MPLS outage actually take to resolve?

2. Troubleshooting time: How many staff hours were spent before the carrier provided useful information?

3. User impact: How much productivity was lost during the most recent "SLA-compliant" performance issue?

If those answers reveal gaps between what you're paying for and what you're getting, you're experiencing an industry-wide pattern.

The Bottom Line

Reliability isn't measured by contract language. It's measured by user experience when they need to join calls, access applications, or serve customers.

The "enterprise-grade" premium may not deliver enterprise-grade results anymore.

Next in the series: Branch configuration chaos - why no two sites work the same way, and how those differences create hidden outages and security gaps.

Stay connected,
The Packet Pulse Team