Ever wanted to order broadband without a phone line? Well now you can! SoGEA broadband provides a reliable internet connection without the need for a traditional landline telephone service. It uses the same fibre-to-the-cabinet network as FTTC broadband, with the final connection to your premises delivered over the existing copper line.
Click here to find out if you can get SoGEA.
What is SoGEA?
SoGEA meaning: what is it and how does it work?
SoGEA stands for Single Order Generic Ethernet Access.
In summary, it is a hybrid solution of traditional copper wiring and modern fibre broadband technology whereby fibre technology comprises the majority of the cabling, with copper wiring providing the connection between the Green Cabinet (PCP) and the customer’s premises.
As stated in the name, SoGEA is a single order variant meaning providers can order broadband without a traditional landline. This also means that a customer cannot make calls via that line. So if a customer wants to make calls they would need to upgrade to an internet based solution such as VoIP phone system.
IP phone systems have come a long way and now VoIP systems are clearer than ever with support for HD codec. For more information on VoIP, see our ‘what is VoIP?‘ article.
What speeds can I get with SoGEA?
The maximum download and upload speeds possible with SoGEA broadband are as follows:
- SoGEA 40 Mbps download / 10 Mbps upload.
- SoGEA 80 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload.
What are the advantages of SoGEA?
Future proofed for the WLR/PSTN withdrawal
Because of the PSTN withdrawal happening by January 31, 2027, customers will need to upgrade their current broadband services to a data-only variant such as SoGEA or gigabit capable FTTP (Fibre To The Premises).
Simplified order process
Because the order journey has been simplified for the provider, this has a knock-on effect to the customer meaning they can now more easily order broadband.
Reduced cost
Customers may see a reduced monthly premium for the service however this is up to the provider to decide.
Customers may even see further reductions with their bill if they switch to a VoIP phone system. As modern VoIP solutions often come with inclusive landline and mobile minutes.
Quicker install / lead times
Lead time for SoGEA order can be as little as 5 working days meaning you might be connected quicker than ever before. Migrations from other broadband/WLR services have a lead time of 10 working days.
Lead times can vary depending on whether you already have any active or stopped lines in the premises.
If you are looking to make calls, VoIP phone systems can be deployed the same day depending on your provider. Or next working day if you require hardware.
Quicker problem resolution
Furthermore, customers also benefit as sometimes they might have one provider for the line and one for the broadband. Once they upgrade to SOGEA, this will be all in the past.
SoGEA vs FTTP: Which Should You Choose?
SoGEA and FTTP both provide broadband without requiring a traditional analogue telephone service, but they use different network technologies. SoGEA uses fibre between the exchange and the local street cabinet, followed by the existing copper telephone line for the final connection to your premises. FTTP, or Fibre to the Premises, uses fibre-optic cabling for the entire connection into the building.
The main advantage of FTTP is speed. While SoGEA commonly offers download speeds of up to 80Mbps and upload speeds of up to 20Mbps, FTTP packages can provide substantially faster download and upload speeds. FTTP performance is also less affected by the distance between your premises and the local cabinet because it does not rely on copper for the final part of the connection.
For most businesses, FTTP will be the better long-term choice where it is available at a suitable price. It provides greater capacity for cloud services, video meetings, large file transfers, hosted phone systems and businesses with multiple connected users. Full fibre is also becoming increasingly widely available, reaching approximately 82% of UK homes as of January 2026.
However, SoGEA remains a practical option for premises that cannot yet access FTTP. It can provide a reliable business broadband connection using existing fibre-to-the-cabinet infrastructure, without the cost or complexity of maintaining a traditional phone service. It may also be suitable for smaller businesses whose internet usage does not require gigabit-capable speeds.
| Feature | SoGEA | FTTP |
|---|---|---|
| Connection type | Fibre to the cabinet, then copper to the premises | Fibre directly to the premises |
| Typical maximum download speed | Up to 80Mbps | From around 100Mbps to 1Gbps or more |
| Typical maximum upload speed | Up to 20Mbps | Varies by package and supplier, but generally much faster. |
| Affected by distance from cabinet | Yes | No |
| Traditional phone line required | No | No |
| Suitable for VoIP | Yes | Yes |
| Best suited to | Premises without FTTP availability or with moderate usage | Businesses needing faster speeds and greater capacity |
Ordering SoGEA broadband
SoGEA Availability in the UK
Over 95% of premises in the UK can access superfast SoGEA broadband making it a popular choice for customers where full-fibre broadband is not available.
Can I get SoGEA business broadband?
As a UK business broadband provider, you can use our broadband checker we created to find out what speeds you can get.
How much does SoGEA cost?
SoGEA 80/20 costs £38.95 per month(excl VAT) with us, Globe2, as your UK provider rated excellent on Trustpilot. To get started, please get in touch.
How Is SoGEA Installed?
The SoGEA installation process depends on the existing broadband service and line at your premises. If a suitable Openreach line and master socket are already in place, the connection may be activated remotely without an engineer needing to enter the property.
When migrating from an existing FTTC broadband service to SoGEA, an on-site engineer visit is not normally required. However, a visit may be necessary if a new line must be installed, the existing line is unsuitable or work is required at the property or within the local network.
Installation times vary according to the type of order, line status, engineer availability and whether additional network work is needed. When ordering SoGEA through Globe2, we can request a preferred installation date and available appointment slot, although all dates remain subject to confirmation by Openreach.
FAQ:
Why the change?
Openreach have decided that by January 31, 2027 they will close the PSTN network; meaning services that run on a landline will no longer work such as broadband and calls. Customers will be unable to place calls via their landlines. In place customers are expected to move to voice services such as VoIP and upgrade to SoGEA broadband.
Businesses and residential customers must also consider that any services that run over the phone line such as alarms and payment terminals will also no longer function and so will need to upgrade to an IP solution.
Read our article on the Openreach PSTN withdrawal to find out more information.
Can I still order broadband with a phone line?
No. Customers can now only purchase data-only broadband lines meaning they a internet phone system to make or receive calls. You can find out more about VoIP phone systems, in our ‘What is VoIP‘ article.
I cannot get SoGEA, what are my other options?
We can provide a few alternatives to fibre broadband such a 5G broadband (or 4G), leased lines and ADSL broadband.
What router do I need for SoGEA?
A fibre or VDSL2 router with a RJ11 port will work with SoGEA.
What faceplate do I need for SoGEA?
If you are migrating your existing FTTC service to SoGEA, the faceplate used for your current connection will remain the same unless you have requested an Openreach engineer to attend your site when setting up your connection. The engineer will update your faceplate should your existing faceplate not be up to date.
How much does SoGEA cost?
SoGEA pricing can vary depending on the speed required and supplier. Pricing may also vary depending on whether you need SoGEA Internet for personal or business use.
If you are looking for SoGEA Business Broadband, please get in touch for our latest pricing.
Does SoGEA with Globe2 come with a static IP?
Yes, by default we provide a static IP with our SoGEA broadband connections. We can also provide these with a dynamic IP on request.
Is SoGEA fibre broadband?
SoGEA uses a mix of fibre optic cables and copper wiring to deliver broadband to your premises. SoGEA is not full-fibre and so can only deliver download speeds of up to 80Mbps.
