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SoGEA delivers the same performance and data rates as FTTC broadband. It uses the same infrastructure and has the same geographic availability, future-proofing connectivity as the UK moves to an all-IP network. The only difference is the need for a phone line has been removed.
Until now you needed to have a traditional phone line installed to deliver broadband to a home or office, but SoGEA broadband doesn’t run over a phone line; instead, it uses the same fibre/copper network without the WLR (Wholesale Line Rental = Phone line) element. SoGEA is a dedicated line that delivers a broadband connection and includes an underlying version of a phone line. This means that customers moving to SoGEA from a phoneline-reliant broadband solution will need a voice call service that uses VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) to continue to be able to make and receive phone calls. SoGEA provides a broadband solution using the existing fibre/copper network, where fibre to the premises (FTTP) is not yet available.
In 2017, British Telecom announced their intention to switch off the existing telephone network completely, having migrated all services to the newer and more efficient fibre broadband network. Therefore, come January 2027 the entire UK Wholesale Line Rental network will cease to exist.
However, it would be a mistake to think about waiting until nearer the 2027 deadline, as the migration of services is happening today and will pick up pace over time. SoGEA provides an effective solution today by using the existing fibre/copper network, making it available to more than 90% of premises across the United Kingdom.
Important Note: You will need a VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) voice product or a hosted telephony platform if you want to continue to make and receive voice calls and use your existing telephone number. It is essential that the porting of any existing phone numbers is completed before the service is switched to SoGEA, or numbers can be irretrievably lost.
