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SoGEA broadband for businesses
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Why choose SoGEA for your business?
SoGEA broadband provides your business with a fast, reliable connection, all without the extra cost of a traditional phone line. It’s available through the Openreach network, making it a flexible choice for businesses in most locations.
No landline needed
Cut unnecessary costs by removing the need for a separate business phone line. SoGEA delivers broadband directly to your premises, so you only pay for the connection you actually use.
Low-cost option
Enjoy dependable speeds at a lower business broadband price compared with business full fibre services. It’s ideal for everyday business activities like using card machines, handling online orders, and video conferencing.
Great for small businesses
From independent shops and cafes to small offices, SoGEA keeps you connected without overspending. It’s also a smart interim option while you wait for full fibre to reach your area.
What is SoGEA broadband?
SoGEA is a part-fibre broadband service offered through the Openreach network, providing internet connectivity without a traditional phone line.
It is the latest iteration of FTTC (“Fibre to the Cabinet”) broadband, which uses fibre optic cable to a local street cabinet and then copper cabling to connect individual properties.
Broadband providers typically market SoGEA as “Standard Fibre” or “Part Fibre” because of its mixed use of both fibre and copper.
The key difference between SoGEA and older FTTC connections is that SoGEA is a broadband-only service.
What does SoGEA stand for?
SoGEA is an acronym for Single Order Generic Ethernet Access, with the full name reflecting how the technology works:
- Single Order: Previously, FTTC services required a phone line to be ordered alongside broadband. “Single Order” signifies that SoGEA provides broadband only, without a phone line.
- Generic Ethernet Access: A technical term for delivering internet access using existing fibre and copper infrastructure.
Why was SoGEA introduced?
SoGEA was first offered in 2019 as part of preparations for the big switch-off.
From 2027, Openreach will retire traditional landline services over copper wires, shifting exclusively to broadband internet over this network.
While FTTC can technically deliver broadband without a landline, SoGEA is purpose-built for this, making it a more efficient and future-ready option.
This is especially important as millions of homes and businesses, particularly in rural and remote areas, that still rely on copper cables for broadband.
SoGEA availability and the full fibre rollout
SoGEA is offered as a broadband solution only in areas where full fibre broadband is not yet available.
Openreach is currently rolling out full fibre broadband infrastructure, aiming to cover 25 million properties by the end of 2025.
Full fibre does not rely on copper cables and is significantly faster and more reliable than SoGEA.
SoGEA connections are intended as a stepping stone for premises that do not yet have access to full fibre while this technology is deployed nationwide.
Find out more on our business broadband availability page.
Benefits of SoGEA business broadband
SoGEA is a simple, reliable broadband option that works well for many UK businesses. Here’s why it stands out as a strong alternative to older FTTC services.
Easy installation
Most business premises already have the copper cables needed for SoGEA, so installation is quick and disruption to your business is minimal.
Reliable performance
With fewer potential points of failure than FTTC, SoGEA focuses entirely on providing a stable, consistent business broadband connection.
Speeds up to 80Mbps
SoGEA offers business broadband speeds of up to 80Mbps, depending on your distance to the street cabinet. This is ideal for video calls, payment systems, and using cloud-based software.
Widely available
SoGEA broadband from Openreach is available at most commercial properties in the UK, making it an easy upgrade or replacement.
Supports VoIP services
Perfect for modern business phone setups, SoGEA works seamlessly with business VoIP solutions so you can run calls over the same high-speed connection.
Future-ready option
SoGEA is designed to work as part of the UK’s move away from traditional phone lines, making it a smart step toward future broadband technologies.
SoGEA broadband providers
Most business broadband providers now offer SoGEA, giving you flexibility, competitive pricing, and strong coverage across the UK. Here are some of the top options for your business.
BT Business Broadband
One of the first to launch SoGEA for businesses, BT business broadband offers reliable connections and extensive UK coverage.
TalkTalk Business Broadband
Talk Talk business broadband provides competitive SoGEA packages tailored to business requirements, with attractive contract options.
Sky Business Broadband
Sky Business Broadband offers SoGEA with a strong focus on dependable customer support and service continuity.
Vodafone Business Broadband
Vodafone business broadband delivers flexible SoGEA plans backed by a high-performing network.
Zen Business Broadband
Zen Business Broadband is well-regarded for customer service excellence and premium-quality SoGEA broadband.
Daisy Communications
Daisy Communications offers SoGEA as part of a wider telecom offering, giving businesses multiple services under one provider.
How does SoGEA work?
SoGEA is an Openreach-based broadband service that delivers internet without a traditional phone line. It uses the same fibre and copper infrastructure as FTTC, but the voice service is removed, so you only pay for the broadband connection.
Fibre backbone
Your connection starts at your broadband provider’s servers, where data is routed onto the internet. From there, it travels through Openreach’s nationwide fibre network to your local exchange, a hub that links multiple premises in the area.
Street cabinet link
From the local exchange, business fibre optic cables carry your data to the nearest Openreach street cabinet, which acts as the local connection point for your area.
Last mile copper
The final stretch between the street cabinet and your premises is delivered over existing copper telephone lines using VDSL2 technology. This supports download speeds of up to 80Mbps.
Modem or router
Your modem or business broadband router connects to the copper line, turning the signal into a usable broadband connection. It then distributes internet access to your devices via business Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
VoIP-ready
SoGEA routers do not include a traditional business phone port. Instead, you can run a business phone line using VoIP technology, which carries calls over your broadband connection.
SoGEA broadband installation process
Getting connected with SoGEA is quick, simple, and in most cases doesn’t require an engineer visit. Your business could be online in just a few days.
Simple, no-fuss setup
SoGEA uses the same copper line from the street cabinet to your premises as traditional phone and FTTC services. This means most properties are already ready to connect without any extra work.
Easy step-by-step process
Sign up for your chosen SoGEA package and receive a pre-configured router in the post. Plug it into your BT master socket and your connection will go live on your confirmed activation date.
Engineer visit if required
If your property doesn’t have an active copper phone line, Openreach will arrange a business broadband installation as part of your order. This ensures you’re fully connected without unnecessary delays.
SoGEA business broadband – FAQs
Our business broadband experts answer commonly asked questions about SoGEA.
Is SoGEA the same as full fibre broadband?
No, SoGEA is not the same as full fibre broadband.
SoGEA uses the existing fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) infrastructure, with fibre optic cables running to the street cabinet and copper cables connecting the cabinet to the premises.
In contrast, full fibre broadband uses fibre optic cables directly to the premises (“fibre-to-the-premises” or FTTP), offering faster speeds and greater reliability.
Do you need a SoGEA adapter?
No, a specific SoGEA adapter is not required.
All your business needs is a compatible modem/router, provided by your business broadband provider, which will be configured to work with SoGEA.
Do I need a new router to install SoGEA?
Yes, in most cases, your broadband provider will supply a new modem/router specifically configured for SoGEA.
Even if your existing FTTC router is compatible, it is recommended to use the one provided to ensure compliance with the latest business broadband security features.
Using older devices may pose a security risk and leave your business vulnerable to emerging cybersecurity threats.
How do I get SoGEA for my business?
Most commercial properties in the UK already have a copper connection suitable for SoGEA broadband.
To secure a SoGEA broadband deal, visit our small business broadband page to find the best SoGEA providers in your area.
A SoGEA connection can be activated through a straightforward business broadband switch, facilitated by our experts.
Can SoGEA be used for redundancy?
SoGEA is also a proven and cost-effective business broadband redundancy solution for larger businesses.
Business broadband failover software can switch to a SoGEA connection as a backup, prioritising business-critical traffic if there is an issue with the primary leased line broadband connection.