1.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 September 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'.
2.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.
3.So how will I get voice services when PSTN is switched off?
If the customer requires to keep their landline number, you will need to port it to VoIP (Voice over IP). This can be with ICUK or any other provider. Your customer may need to replace or acquire additional equipment in order to use this.
4.What does SOGEA stand for?
Single Order Generic Ethernet Access. It's Openreach's term for FTTC essentially, without the voice side.
5.What speed does SOGEA offer?
ICUK will be offering up to 40/10 and 80/20 SOGEA speeds (download/upload Mb/sec)
6.OK, so how do I move my current ICUK service from PSTN/FTTC to SOGEA?
You can modify an existing broadband connection in the control panel. Under Connectivity | Broadband | (Choose the connection) | Modify Broadband Product if SOGEA is available, it will have the option to switch to a SOGEA product.
7.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.
8.Is there a cost to switch to SOGEA?
ICUK 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.
However, if you currently have a TalkTalk broadband connection through us, there is a standard cease fee of £36.00 if switching to BT Wholesale's SOGEA.
From 23/11/2022 to 31/08/2023, the £36 cease fee for ICUK TalkTalk connections switching to SOGEA will no longer apply as a BT Wholesale led promotion.
BT Wholesale do not charge a cease fee for switching from their ADSL / FTTC to SOGEA. It is unlikely TalkTalk will charge a fee when they release this product.
9.Will my username or Static IP address change?
Not if the service is already with us and you're using the Modify Broadband Page facility. Obviously if you're switching from another provider, these will change just as they do when migrating ADSL/FTTC.
10.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.
11.So if I need to install a new line, should I use SOGEA or WLR/SIM Provide Broadband?
Being Openreach are placing a stop sell on line rental and FTTC orders from September 2023, we would recommend SOGEA/FTTP from the outset if it's available, and use VOIP for telephony. The only time PSTN should be used at the current time for a new installaiton is when ADSL is the only service available at the exchange.
12.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.
13.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 and not change any of the settings. However, if you're transferring from another provider, you will need to update the username and password to authenticate the router/connection on our network. If you're switching from PSTN/ADSL to SOGEA, you will need to check whether the router supports VDSL.
14.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, and confirmed in the wholesale pricing page in the Control Panel.
In addition, ICUK 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.
15.So does that mean if I order a TalkTalk PSTN/FTTC connection from 1st May, 2022 I have to pay install fees?
Yes. Partly because ICUK absorbs some of the installation fee charged by Openreach and TalkTalk, whereas with SOGEA the installation fee absorbed is much less and is also a more future proof product, so it makes sense for people to move to SOGEA.
16.What about the PSTN/ADSL Installation offer?
That will still be available until SOTAP is released. But please consider using SOGEA if it's available in your area.
17.What about G.Fast?
Openreach has developed a SOGFast product, which is a PSTN/G.Fast replacement, but has yet to be released.
18.Can I switch back from SOGEA to PSTN/FTTC or ADSL?
Yes, you can do, but this isn't recommended. From September 2023, Openreach will not allow this anyway.
19.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.
20.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.
21.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 customer to use VoIP.
22.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 ICUK, our order process provides for this scenario, but we cannot speak for 3rd party providers.
23.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 ICUK 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 ICUK. 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.
24.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.
25.What if I have a home user who doesn't really understand VoIP and broadband?
This is more common with the older population, but again, this is a contentious issue with Openreach and the industry, but Openreach intend to stick to its guns and force people onto a broadband and VoIP style service. In reality, resellers know their customers better than anyone else, so it's a case of education and planning with all parties involved.
26.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.
27.Can I migrate a PSTN/ADSL/FTTC or SOGEA service from another provider to ICUK's SOGEA? And how do I know which line to 'migrate' if it hasn't got a number?
Yes, you can. During the order process, our control panel will show a list of all working lines and their associated IDs / numbers at a selected address. This will show as much information as we can obtain from Openreach to help you choose. However, ultimately, only the losing provider will be able to confirm the line ID / telephone number of an existing circuit.
28.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.
29.Can I migrate PSTN/FTTC to ICUK's SOGEA and VoIP service?
Yes, this is an option as part of the order process. However, this can be difficult to explain in a written document as the process can pose challenges the first time it's done, so we recommend speaking to us beforehand for guidance.
In addition, as it's not uncommon for people to have PSTN/FTTC lines that aren't currently used for voice services, we would suggest using a 'test' line so resellers become familiar with the process of switching to SOGEA and VoIP.
If the telephone number is of importance, given our SOGEA Installation is free of charge regardless if a new line is required or an existing spare line is used, you may wish to proceed cautiously with switching from PSTN/FTTC to VOIP/SOGEA should consider separating the process to avoid potential issues or delays. Put simply, although every effort is made to ensure the order goes through smoothly, we cannot guarantee this because of external factors, as it's relying on Openreach, BT Wholesale and a VOIP provider all coming together in one go. A safer solution for this is to install the SOGEA service alongside the existing PSTN/broadband connection and once that is up and working, arrange to port the PSTN voice number to VoIP and cancel the old line. This will reduce the risk of mishaps occurring.
30.Can I 'bulk' migrate all my connections to SOGEA?
There isn't an option to do this just yet. If you wanted to do this, we would suggest doing a few so you're familiar with the process and then perhaps do a batch at a time. But do bear in mind if you want to switch from PSTN and broadband with TalkTalk to BT Wholesale's SOGEA product, each switch will incur a £36 cease fee.
From 23/11/2022 to 31/08/2023, the £36 cease fee for ICUK TalkTalk connections switching to SOGEA will no longer apply as a BT Wholesale led promotion.
31.When is TalkTalk releasing its SOGEA / FTTP Service?
TalkTalk's SOGEA and FTTP offering are not suitable for us to sell to our resellers and their customers compared to the products offered by BT Wholesale. This is in terms of support, features and pricing. For this reason, SOGEA and FTTP from ICUK will only be available through BT Wholesale.
32.What about ISDN2 and 30 and PSTN Multi-lines?
They will follow the same fate as PSTN and customers will need to move to a VoIP solution.
33.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. Effectively, treat this question with the same answer as a regular broadband migration.
34.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.
