With major infrastructure changes in the UK due in 2025, there’s never been a greater need for an alternative broadband solution. The planned switch-off of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) poses significant challenges to businesses and individuals alike. The threat of communication disruptions and security and reliability concerns are very real.
As 2025 draws closer, taking proactive action now will help address these threats and concerns. Investment in technology, infrastructure, and education will ensure a reliable, accessible, and secure communication system is in place before, during, and after the PSTN switch-off.
Find out why switching to SoGEA broadband can safeguard the needs of everyone including the business community so they are ready and prepared for the upcoming changes.
What is SoGEA?
SoGEA broadband, or Single Order Generic Ethernet Access, is a new type of broadband service that allows users to access the internet without a traditional phone line. It represents a significant change in the way broadband is delivered, and it offers several benefits over traditional broadband services.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of SoGEA broadband is that it provides homes and businesses with a viable solution to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) scheduled closure in 2025. Before this date, every legacy phone line and broadband connection across the UK must be upgraded to a fully digital internet protocol (IP) service across a full-fibre network.
As a result, people and organisations will be searching for new broadband connections that suit their needs both now and in the future.
How Does SoGEA Work?
SoGEA broadband works by using technology called Ethernet over Fibre to the Cabinet (EoFTTC). This allows high-speed broadband to be delivered over the existing Openreach telephone line infrastructure.
They key advantage of this is that SoGEA does not require a phone line to be installed as it functions over the same line as the fibre optic connection. This means there’s no need for a phone number or rental fee for a line because the broadband signal is delivered directly into your router, providing a faster, more reliable, and higher quality broadband service.
What are the benefits of SoGEA?
There are many benefits of SoGEA broadband over traditional broadband services. Firstly, it eliminates the need for a separate phone line, which can be costly and inconvenient for users. It also simplifies the set-up process, as users only need to connect their modem or router to a master socket to get online, providing businesses with a quick and cost-effective solution for ensuring continuity of service. Additionally, SoGEA broadband offers faster speeds and more reliable connections than traditional broadband, as it uses the latest fibre optic technology.
Other features of SoGEA include:
- Download speeds of up to 80Mbs
- Unlimited data
- Greater reliability and performance
- Easy to switch providers
- No phone line rental fee
- More cost-effective than traditional broadband
Some SoGEA providers offer packages with an ‘unmetered’ usage policy so users have access to as much data as they require for the cost of a monthly rental charge.
What are the advantages of SoGEA over traditional broadband?
If you need fast, reliable, and secure broadband, SoGEA provides numerous advantages over traditional services. As SoGEA operates on a fibre optic network the chances of patchy connections and downtime are greatly reduced, allowing businesses and personal users to enjoy an uninterrupted broadband service.
A poor internet connection causes problems for businesses and individuals in many ways including:
- Slow webpage loading which is time-consuming when trying to access information or complete online tasks.
- Negative impact on remote work and productivity, resulting in disrupted collaboration.
- Limited access to cloud-based applications and services for data storage, business support, and more.
- Multiple services such as streaming platforms, gaming channels, and online banking become inaccessible.
- Unreliable video conferencing leading to frozen screens, pixelated video, or audio delays.
- Slow upload and download speeds, presenting issues when transferring files or sharing attachments.
- Quality issues with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services like Zoom and other voice apps leading to dropped calls, distorted audio, or lag.
- Buffering or weak video and movie streaming, disrupting viewing experience.
Who is most likely to use SoGEA broadband?
A wide range of users can benefit from SoGEA broadband. Any user looking for a reliable and affordable broadband service without the need for a phone line should consider SoGEA as a practical option. SoGEA broadband may be particularly suitable for:
1. Home users who don’t require a landline phone
SoGEA broadband is ideal for those who use mobile phones and smartphones as their primary means of communication in the home, and do not own or use a landline phone.
2. Businesses requiring reliable internet
Most businesses can of course benefit from an optimised internet connection. SoGEA provides faster and more robust connections than traditional broadband, making it a safer option for companies and home offices.
3. Users who want to switch providers
SoGEA is more flexible than traditional broadband and switching providers couldn’t be easier, as you don’t need to coordinate with a phone line provider. This allows you to access better deals and find the best service for your needs.
4. Users who want faster broadband speeds
With fast internet speeds, SoGEA is ideal for users who want to stream video, play online games, or download large files quickly. SoGEA offers speeds up to 80Mb which is significantly faster than traditional broadband.
How do you Set Up SoGEA?
To set up SoGEA connections, users order the service from their internet service provider who will then arrange for an engineer to visit and install a new master socket in the property. This will connect the user’s devices to the internet. Once the socket is installed, the user can simply plug in their modem or router, and they’re ready to go.
Providers like Excalibur are on hand to provide full SoGEA setup and guidance.
What is the Difference Between SoGEA, FTTP, and FTTC Broadband?
SoGEA, FTTP and FTTC are all different types of broadband connections, and each has its own unique features and benefits.
SoGEA uses the existing Openreach telephone line network to deliver internet services and does not require a phone line to be installed. Instead, a broadband signal is provided through an Ethernet cable directly into a router for fast, reliable, and high-quality broadband.
FTTP uses fibre optic cables to connect directly to the internet resulting in even faster speeds than SoGEA, and it is less affected by distance from the exchange or cabinet. The further a property is from the local street cabinet, the slower your connection is likely to be.
Meanwhile, FTTC broadband is a hybrid technology that uses fibre optics to connect the local street cabinet to the exchange and then uses existing copper telephone lines to connect your home or business to the cabinet. FTTC offers faster speeds than traditional broadband but is not as fast or reliable as FTTP broadband.
There is one major difference between SoGEA and FTTP/FTTC. While FTTP and FTTC are capable of providing both data and voice service, SoGEA can carry data only. This difference in capabilities is reflected in the cost, with SoGEA being the cheaper option as it only provides one broadband connection, whereas FTTP and FTTC provide two in the form of data and voice capabilities.
In summary, SoGEA broadband is a good option for those requiring a reliable and affordable broadband service without the need for a phone line, while FTTP broadband will suit those who want the fastest possible speeds and the most reliable connection. FTTC broadband operates the middle ground between the two with faster speeds than traditional broadband but not as fast as FTTP broadband.
What are the Disadvantages of SoGEA?
One of the downsides of SoGEA broadband is that it might not be available in all areas such as rural locations, as it requires a fibre optic network to be in place. Additionally, some users may find the setup process more complicated than with traditional broadband, as they will need to arrange for an engineer to visit and install a new master socket.
Nevertheless, SoGEA broadband offers several benefits over traditional broadband, including faster speeds, more reliable connections, and simpler setup. While it may not be available in all areas, it’s an option worth considering for anyone looking for a high-quality broadband service.
Is SoGEA broadband right for my business?
Our experts at Excalibur will discuss your broadband requirements and find the best package and service to suit your needs. For more information, contact us today.
