What is Openreach planning to do with PSTN?
Openreach are planning on switching off all PSTN services by December 2025 and stop selling new services by December 2023, with some exchanges already on a stop sell and making FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) the only available option. Where exchanges cannot get FTTP, Openreach has released a product called ‘SOGEA’.
What about my broadband service on PSTN?
Openreach has released a product called SOGEA (currently only offered by BT Wholesale) which is a PSTN line that carries FTTC on it, but doesn’t have any voice facilities or a number attached. Therefore, it is not possible to make and receive calls using a traditional telephone on SOGEA.
So how will I get voice services when PSTN is switched off?
If you require to keep your landline number, you will need to port it to VoIP (Voice over IP). This can be with Spirit Telecom Ltd or any other provider. You may need to replace or acquire additional equipment in order to use this.
What does SOGEA stand for?
Single Order Generic Ethernet Access. It’s Openreach’s term for FTTC essentially, without the voice side.
What speed does SOGEA offer?
Spirit Telecom Ltd will be offering up to 40/10 and 80/20 SOGEA speeds (download/upload Mb/sec)
OK, so how do I move my current service from PSTN/FTTC to SOGEA?
You can modify an existing broadband connection by asking Spirit Telecom Ltd to make the change for you
What will happen to the number on the line? And how is SOGEA presented on the line/socket?
By default, the number will cease to exist once the switch has completed. However, you do have the option to port the number to a VoIP platform such as our own, or someone else’s. This is part of the order process.
SOGEA is presented in the same way as a regular PSTN/FTTC line – just the voice facilities will not work. A filter is still required just as regular broadband is. Sometimes Openreach will install a dual plug filtered socket for both PSTN and broadband so in these instances a separate filter isn’t required.
Is there a cost to switch to SOGEA?
Spirit Telecom Ltd and BT Wholesale have agreed a package where it is free to switch or install SOGEA, providing the service is on a 12 month contract.
Will my username or Static IP address change?
Not if you’re using the Modify Broadband facility. Obviously if you’re switching from another provider, these will change just as they do when migrating ADSL/FTTC.
What if SOGEA isn’t available?
If SOGEA isn’t available in an area that doesn’t have FTTC or FTTP yet, then there isn’t a product available and normal PSTN/ADSL must be used. BT and TalkTalk plan to release an ADSL equivalent in the coming months (called SoTAP) that will enable PSTN/ADSL migrations to such a product. If FTTP is available and SOGEA isn’t, then FTTP must be used.
Is there anything different about SOGEA broadband wise compared to PSTN/FTTC?
No, the only difference is that it cannot be used for voice facilities and has no telephone number attached.
Can I use my existing router?
If your current broadband service is on FTTC, then you can carry on using the same router for SOGEA using the same settings. If you’re switching from PSTN/ADSL to SOGEA, you will need to check whether the router supports VDSL.
Are there any cost savings for SOGEA over PSTN/FTTC as I’m not using the voice side?
Yes, our SOGEA rental prices are lower than traditional PSTN/FTTC products
In addition, Spirit Telecom Ltd offered a free installation or transfer on PSTN and FTTC if ordered as part of a Simultaneous broadband until 01/05/2022. It is now only free on Standard SOGEA and FTTP new installations, takeovers and transfers, so the PSTN offer stopped from 01/05/2022.
What about G.Fast?
Openreach are releasing a SOGFast product, which is a PSTN/G.Fast replacement, but has yet to be released.
Can I switch back from SOGEA to PSTN/FTTC or ADSL?
Yes, you can do, but this isn’t recommended. Eventually Openreach will not allow this anyway.
Will I be able to switch from PSTN/FTTC/ADSL or SOGEA to FTTP when it becomes available?
You won’t be able to switch, so to speak, as the current process is to install FTTP and then cease the PSTN / SOGEA service if it’s no longer required.
So if I switch to SOGEA, what will happen if my exchange stops copper / PSTN lines / SOGEA completely, will they force me to switch to FTTP?
Eventually, yes, but this isn’t likely to happen for another 10 to 15 years or so. The emphasis at the moment is to switch as many people away from PSTN/FTTC to SOGEA or FTTP where available. SOGEA has a much longer lifespan than PSTN/FTTC.
So what about if I have a PSTN line and I use it for just calls and no broadband? Will I have to move?
This is still a contentious issue in the industry, but at the current time Openreach’s stance is it’s sticking to its guns that it wants to move such users to SOGEA or FTTP and request the end user moves to VoIP.
What if I have line rental with another provider and broadband with you, or line rental with you and broadband with another provider?
You will need to choose one provider and swap to SOGEA who will manage it as ‘one line’, so to speak. If you are using Spirit Telecom Ltd, our order process provides for this scenario, but we cannot speak for 3rd party providers.
If I have line rental with a 3rd party provider and broadband with you and I swap to SOGEA, is there a cease charge? Or vice versa?
If the broadband that is with Spirit Telecom Ltd is on a BT Wholesale product, and swaps to SOGEA on BT Wholesale (i.e. the same carrier), there are no cease charges levied by Spirit Telecom Ltd. Whether the line rental provider will charge a cease fee for leaving them, we cannot say and this is something you will need to check with them.
If you are migrating away to another BT Wholesale provider’s SOGEA service from a BT Wholesale connection with us, providing the current broadband connection is out of contract, there are no exit fees.
If you are migrating away to another LLU provider’s service (regardless of technology type) from a BT Wholesale connection with us, then a standard cease fee will apply as it is ceasing from BT Wholesale’s equipment.
If my current broadband connection is in contract, can I still move to SOGEA without incurring extra fees?
If it is a BT Wholesale ADSL/FTTC connection, it is possible to switch to SOGEA without penalty. This will, however, start a new 12 month contract. If it is a TalkTalk connection, then it will be deemed a break of contract and contractual fulfilment fees will apply.
Are there any concessions for people who just use broadband for VoIP as a replacement for PSTN and have no intention of using traditional internet services such web and email?
Not at the current time, unfortunately.
Can I restart a ‘stopped line’ and install SOGEA on it?
Yes, but eventually these will not have dial tones as PSTN switches off, so it won’t always be easy for anyone to determine which line has been restarted if you have multiple lines in a building. In these situations, we suggest installing a brand new service to be 100% sure. An Openreach engineer will come out and most likely use an existing stopped line anyway.
32.What about ISDN2 and 30 and PSTN Multi-lines?
They will follow the same fate as PSTN and you will need to move to a VoIP solution.
Finally, is there any downtime when switching to SOGEA from PSTN/FTTC or ADSL?
The majority of migrations will happen in the middle of the night just as they do with FTTC migrations. Whilst there shouldn’t be any downtime during the switch, it’s impossible to say there won’t be a brief period of a few minutes whilst Openreach do what’s needed to be done.
OK, what do I do if I need to know anything else?
We’ve attempted to answer as many questions as we can, but we’re always on the end of a phone call or email if you wish to know more. SOGEA has been headline news in the comms industry for a year or so now, so hopefully this has covered everything.