Prepare your UK business for the 2027 PSTN switch-off with SOGEA broadband. Learn how Single Order Generic Ethernet Access delivers reliable connectivity, cuts costs, and future-proofs
SOGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access) is a data-only broadband service delivering 40–80Mbps speeds without requiring analogue phone line rental. It eliminates £15–20/month in line rental charges, supports VoIP telephony over your internet connection, and prepares UK businesses for the mandatory PSTN switch-off on 31 January 2027—making it the most cost-effective migration path for mid-sized enterprises.
SOGEA consolidates data and voice into a single IP-based circuit—eliminating the legacy phone line entirely.
Unlike traditional FTTC broadband (which required separate data service + analogue line rental), SOGEA delivers:
The physical infrastructure remains familiar: fibre runs from the exchange to your street cabinet, then copper completes the final connection. This hybrid approach means businesses upgrade connectivity without expensive full-fibre installation.
This means: Your business can reduce costs now, using existing infrastructure, while planning eventual migration to full-fibre business broadband when requirements evolve.
The UK's century-old Public Switched Telephone Network retires permanently on 31 January 2027. BT recommends completing migrations by December 2025 to avoid peak-period congestion and engineer shortages.
Approximately 15% of UK businesses still rely on at least one PSTN-dependent system. For enterprises with multiple locations, the migration timeline becomes tight when factoring in equipment audits, VoIP implementation, training, and testing.
UK businesses experienced an average of 15.83 hours of broadband downtime in the year to January 2024, costing the economy an estimated £17.6 billion. Organisations waiting until 2026–2027 face compressed migration windows, limited engineer availability, and potential service disruptions.
Speed remains identical: Both achieve 40–80Mbps depending on cabinet distance. There is no speed penalty for choosing SOGEA.
SLA availability improves: SOGEA includes robust 99.9% uptime guarantees with financial penalties—ensuring recourse if service drops below committed levels.
Act by December 2025 to ensure controlled migration with adequate engineer availability.
74% of UK premises now have full-fibre access. However, with typical costs of £50–150/month versus £25–40 for SOGEA, budget realities often favour superfast options where 40–80Mbps adequately supports operations.
Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks from order to go-live.
Audit all systems using PSTN lines: phones, alarms, door entry, EPOS, fax machines, monitoring equipment. Document which require IP alternatives versus decommissioning.
Select appropriate SOGEA speed tier. Design VoIP solution with adequate handsets. Configure call routing, voicemail, and CRM integration. Place SOGEA order—typically 10–15 working days for standard installations.
Configure and test VoIP handsets off-site. Update emergency systems with IP-compatible alternatives. Train staff on new phone systems.
Openreach engineer installs SOGEA circuit. Provider configures router and activates VoIP services. Port existing phone numbers—typically completes within 2–4 hours.
Monitor performance closely. Fine-tune Quality of Service settings. Collect user feedback. Decommission old PSTN lines after confirming reliable operation.
Businesses following structured migration processes experience 73% fewer post-implementation issues.
AMVIA eliminates the guesswork from PSTN migration with expert-led planning and guaranteed 99.9% uptime SLA.
Call 0333 733 8050 and speak to a UK-based connectivity specialist within 90 seconds. No automated phone trees, no overseas call centres.
Detailed site surveys, infrastructure audits, optimal SOGEA and VoIP configurations, and phased implementation plans that minimise operational disruption.
99.9% uptime guarantee isn't marketing—it's a financial commitment. Miss the SLA and you receive automatic credits, no questions asked.
AMVIA delivers business broadband and VoIP systems as integrated solutions with unified support—eliminating finger-pointing between providers.
Organisations with multiple locations benefit from SD-WAN solutions that intelligently route traffic across multiple circuits—combining SOGEA, leased lines, and cellular backup for resilience.
Businesses handling large data transfers or real-time video production should evaluate fibre options delivering 100Mbps to 10Gbps symmetrical bandwidth. 86% of UK premises now have gigabit-capable coverage.
Rather than treating voice separately, unified communications combine calling, video, messaging, and collaboration. Microsoft Teams integration enables seamless workflows within a single interface.
As voice and data converge on IP networks, cybersecurity services become essential. VoIP systems face threats including toll fraud, eavesdropping, and denial-of-service attacks—risks that don't exist with traditional PSTN.
Services will simply stop working. After 31 January 2027, Openreach decommissions PSTN infrastructure—phones, alarms, and PSTN-dependent systems become inoperable. There is no extension or fallback.
Yes. Number porting transfers existing landline numbers to your VoIP service, typically completing within 2–4 hours. AMVIA manages the porting process end-to-end.
SOGEA delivers identical performance to traditional FTTC—typically 40–80Mbps. If you need higher speeds, explore leased lines or full-fibre options.
Most businesses save £10–20 monthly per site by eliminating line rental. For a 10-location SME, annual savings of £1,200–2,400 fund other IT initiatives.
Options include 4G/5G backup routers, dual-circuit configurations with different carriers, and mobile divert routing calls to staff mobiles during outages.
The PSTN switch-off is unavoidable, but organisations acting strategically transform compliance into opportunity.
SOGEA delivers the performance UK businesses need at prices justifying immediate migration—eliminating line rental while preparing for the all-IP future.
Ready to migrate? Get Your Free SOGEA Assessment from AMVIA's connectivity experts. Call 0333 733 8050—no voicemail, just direct access to engineers who understand your challenges.
Monthly expert-curated updates empower you to protect your business with actionable cybersecurity insights, the latest threat data, and proven defences—trusted by UK IT leaders for reliability and clarity.
