What is SoGEA?

In its plainest terms, SOGEA is a line connection solely for Internet purposes and use only. Traditionally customers would have to pay for mandatory voice services provided over a line. With the introduction of SOGEA, these charges are eradicated.

Why should you and your customers be switching to SoGEA now?

With Openreach switching off the PSTN network by the end of 2025, PSTN exchanges across the UK are already being switched off in preparation for the move to full fibre. SoGEA enables your business to have a broadband or ethernet connection agnostic of the PSTN network, future-proofing your business connectivity.

SoGEA is also faster to install and more reliable than legacy FTTC and ADSL as it does not require a separate telephone line. SoGEA is similar to today’s broadband in that its maximum download speed is 80 Mbps, if you need higher bandwidths for your business, we’d suggest you look at FTTP or a dedicated Leased Line which can offer speeds of up to 1 Gbps and even higher.

SoGEA or FTTC?

When you read the points above it's hard to see any difference between SoGEA and FTTC, in fact their similarities are more than their differences. So how do you know which one is right for you?

Both offer the same speeds, they both use the same infrastructure, however, certain elements set them apart which will be the deciding factor on which one is right for you.

It all boils down to whether you will need a voice service or just data. SoGEA is data only, whereas FTTC gives you the option of data and voice. With no voice service this is what reduces the cost of SoGEA.

If the cheaper price point of SoGEA is attractive to you, but you're not sure if you're reliant on the voice service included with FTTC a Hosted Phone System is a perfect way around this. When using SoGEA you can easily include a Hosted Phone System which will run over your data connection providing you with a fast and reliable telephony system without the need of a traditional phone line.