SoGEA stands for Single Order Generic Ethernet Access. It’s a type of broadband connection and is quicker to install since it doesn’t rely on a traditional phone line to run.

SoGEA broadband is a new service which was introduced as part of the UK’s Openreach network upgrades. It is a single line service, which means it doesn’t require a landline to operate. This can be more cost effective for some customers.

What is SoGEA?

SoGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) is a fibre broadband connection which doesn’t rely on a landline. Instead, it transmits signals to a master socket in your home.

It was introduced as part of upgrades to the UK’s broadband services and allows homes to have broadband without needing to use a phone line. This makes it more affordable for people who don’t want to pay for a landline, and is quicker to install.

SoGEA is best for customers who want high-speed internet access without having to worry about the cost and maintenance of a landline. It operates using the same infrastructure as FTTC broadband, which means fast and reliable internet speeds for low- or medium-use households and offices. But, it isn’t as fast or reliable as full fibre (FTTP) broadband.

SoGEA speeds are up to 80 Mbps for downloading and up to 20 Mbps for uploading. Families will benefit if one or two people want to use the internet at the same time. Students and businesses or those who work from home will also find it supports some video conferencing, smaller file uploads and downloads, and other work activities.

People who generally have heavy internet use, for example gaming, lots of video conference calls, downloading large files, or streaming from multiple devices in one household may prefer full fibre broadband.

Why has SoGEA been introduced?

Broadband and landline technology is changing. The need for SoGEA emerged as internet usage continues to grow while landline usage decreases. Installation can take a while if you’re relying on your landline for your broadband.

SoGEA has been introduced as part of Openreach’s network upgrades, which aim to roll full fibre out nationwide. This means that by December 2025, everyone in the UK will be able to benefit from ultrafast full fibre broadband, which is ideal for heavy internet usage and working from home.

The PSTN and ISDN network will be turned off entirely by 2027. As the deadline gets closer, SoGEA is supporting this shift to faster and better broadband infrastructure at lower costs. Ensure you’re prepared for the ISDN switch off.

How does SoGEA work?

SoGEA works by providing broadband services using existing fibre and copper infrastructure.

SoGEA broadband uses part-fibre technology, which means fibre optic cables transmit signals to your street cabinet. Copper cables carry the signal the rest of the way to your home. It’s different from other technology as the connection plugs into your master socket, instead of needing a landline.

It works in a similar way to FTTC (fibre-to-the-cabinet). In both cases, signals are transmitted to your street cabinet before reaching to your home. With FTTC broadband, the signals are transmitted from the cabinet to your home using copper cables to your phone line. With SoGEA, the signals are transmitted from the cabinet to your home using copper cables to a master socket in your home.

SoGEA is different from full fibre connections (or FTTP – fibre-to-the-premises), which transmit signals to your home or business fibre cables, bypassing the street cabinet completely. FTTP (or full fibre) is more reliable than SoGEA. You can find out more about full fibre broadband and browse our packages here.

SoGEA vs FTTC?

SoGEA is different from FTTC (fibre-to-the-cabinet). Although they both involve transmitting signals to your street cabinet, FTTC uses a separate analogue line. SoGEA, on the other hand, is a single order service, meaning no landline is required.

SoGEA runs signals to a master socket in your home, whereas FTTC runs signals to your landline. They both use fibre optic cables to the cabinet and then copper cables from the cabinet to your home.

The reliability of SoGEA vs FTTC is similar but SoGEA is a single order service, which means it’s easier to find and fix issues. It can also be less expensive to use SoGEA, which doesn’t require the use of both a landline and broadband. You can simply pay for broadband.

For a fully reliable broadband, full fibre (or FTTP) is the best option. Browse Hyperoptic’s full fibre broadband options.

SoGEA vs FTTP

FTTP (fibre-to-the-premises) is the best option for those wanting fast, reliable broadband. SoGEA still uses part fibre broadband. This means the cables are fibre optic on their way to the cabinet in your street. From the street to your home, the cables are copper, which are slower and less reliable.

SoGEA is different from full fibre connections (or FTTP – fibre-to-the-premises), which transmit signals to your home or business through fibre cables, without stopping at the street cabinet. FTTP or full fibre is more reliable than SoGEA and suitable for medium to heavy business use, as well as homes with multiple devices connected to the internet at once.

See more of Hyperoptic’s FTTP broadband options.

Full fibre broadband vs SoGEA

Full fibre broadband (also known as FTTP, or fibre-to-the-premises) means your broadband uses fibre optic cables all the way to your home.

This is different from FTTC or SoGEA broadband, which use fibre optic cables to transmit signals to the cabinet in your street. From the cabinet to your home, they use copper cables, which are slower and less reliable.

When choosing to go with full fibre broadband vs SoGEA it’s best to get an understanding of how fast and reliable you need your internet connection to be. If you have multiple users and devices using the internet at one time, will be streaming from services such as Netflix or YouTube, need to use video conferencing, or download large files, full fibre broadband is the best option for you. You can browse our range of full fibre broadband plans here.

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