SoGEA, So Good

23/05/22 Wavenet

SoGEA, So Good placeholder thumbnail

Many small businesses get internet connectivity in what might be called the “traditional” way. That means they order a public switched telephone network (PSTN) telephone line (also known as a “landline”), and then order a broadband service on top of it.

That’s the way it’s been for many years, but in today’s data-driven world, the system feels clunky. The PSTN landline network is actually being switched off entirely in 2025 because it can no longer handle the demands of modern online communications. But even now, the need to channel ADSL or FTTC data services over a telephone line feels increasingly obsolete.

Happily, there is a solution. The punchily named Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA for short) is a big step up from traditional ADSL and FTTC, because it takes traditional voice services completely out of the equation, and is available over ethernet or broadband. That means better connectivity for business. Here’s why…

SoGEA, so good

In 2025 the ISDN/PSTN network will be switched off and any business that relies on a traditional copper phone line will be forced to switch to an internet-based alternative. In fact, BT has already stopped supplying new landlines in a couple of trial areas and will stop selling them throughout the UK in 2023. The end of the era of the landline is upon us.

Instead, all voice calls will soon need to be routed through the internet. One of the big benefits of a single order solution like SoGEA is that it future-proofs your business for 2025. It’s designed to handle Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other internet traffic on the same service. That makes it more stable than traditional, landline-based ADSL and FTTC broadband. SoGEA is meant to be used alongside a VoIP phone system, so your 2025 headache is cured.

Ease of use

But the advantages of a single order solution go way beyond preparing your business for the ISDN/PSTN switch off in 2025.

For a start, it’s what it says on the tin - a single order solution. With traditional broadband, many businesses take a landline from one supplier and broadband service from another. Even if you take both from the same supplier they might be handled by different departments.

That means you have two services to manage, two suppliers (or departments) to call if something goes wrong, and two bills to pay. With a single order solution, your voice and internet data are essentially the same service, cutting down the time you spend administering, troubleshooting and paying for your communications and networking infrastructure.

MSTeams117-2

Speed, price, reliability

And with a single order solution, you get speed to match that simplicity. SoGEA offers speeds of up to 80Mbps, which is more than a match for the fastest fibre FTTC services and much, much faster than traditional copper-based ADSL.

It’s also more reliable, partly because there’s just one service to go wrong rather than two, and partly because it doesn’t use any traditional phone line frequencies. SoGEA is particularly robust in comparison to ADSL, which isn’t really suitable for many of today’s data-hungry digital services, and will become increasingly stretched by the mass transition to VoIP communications in the run-up to 2025.

You might be thinking that all these benefits will come at an extra cost, but actually, the opposite is true. A single order solution is usually cheaper than the combined cost of a phone line and separate broadband service. And VoIP calls are usually considerably more cost-effective than landline alternatives.

Get connected quicker

Single order connectivity is currently available to 28.5 million premises across the UK, and that number is rising all the time, especially in areas where FTTP connections still aren’t available.

If you’re currently on a standard ADSL or FTTC connection, it’s worth thinking about an upgrade. Combine SoGEA connectivity and a VoIP service and you’ve future-proofed your IT infrastructure for 2025 and beyond. Then you can enjoy the benefits of fast, reliable internet and all-IP voice, opening up new possibilities like Unified Communications and cloud-based telephony.

And there’s more good news when it comes to installing single order services. You can be up and running in around 10 days, with minimal disruption to your everyday operations.

With the ISDN/PSTN Switch Off just around the corner, VoIP-ready SoGEA will become the standard connectivity option for many small and medium-sized businesses soon enough. Why not start benefiting from faster, more reliable and more cost-effective connectivity now, and get a step ahead of the competition?

Networking & Connectivity, SoGEA, Full-Fibre Future

Latest blogs

See all posts

Placeholder thumbnail

Boardroom vs breach: 20 questions every IT leader should be asking about cyber security

Cyber threats are evolving faster than most organisations can keep up. Between new attack techniques, expanding digital estates, and the cyber skills shortage, even well-equipped IT teams are struggling to stay ahead. It’s no longer enough to tick compliance boxes or to simply deploy the latest tools. Real security starts with asking the right questions and acting on the answers. That’s why we’ve created Boardroom vs Breach, a 20-question self-assessment designed to help IT leaders and those responsible for cyber-security take a clear-eyed look at your current security posture, highlight blind spots, and spark critical conversations at board level. Why this matters The cost of a cyber breach isn’t just downtime – it’s trust, reputation, compliance fines, and lost revenue. Yet many companies don’t know if their defences are actually up to the task – do you? These 20 questions aren’t about theory; they reflect real-world weak points that we see every day. If you can’t answer them confidently, we can help. The 20 questions you need to answer Visibility & monitoring Do you have complete visibility of your IT assets? What visibility do you have into incidents and events across your infrastructure? How do you manage your security tooling? How many different tools are you running — and are they working together? Are your systems and endpoints patched regularly? Our advice: Gaining complete visibility starts with consolidating event data, automating alerts, and ensuring continuous oversight across your entire estate. Take a look at: Security Information and Event Management Vulnerability Management Managed Detection and Response Threat detection & response What happens if an incident occurs after hours? How do you find out? Who responds? When was your last penetration test? How regularly do you conduct them? What protections are in place for endpoints, email, and networks? What level of visibility do you have into potential breaches? Do you work with a partner that offers 24/7/365 response and real-world support? Our advice: Improve threat visibility and reduce response times by combining real-time monitoring with expert-led incident analysis and containment. Take a look at: 24/7/365 Managed Detection and Response Incident Response Retainers Penetration Testing and Red Teaming Cloud & modern IT risk Do you use public cloud services? Are you confident in how they’re secured? How do you manage and secure user devices remotely? What vendors are you currently relying on — and are they right for your risk profile? How do you secure your network beyond the firewall? Our advice: Extend visibility beyond the traditional perimeter by applying cloud-native monitoring, endpoint telemetry, and policy-based access control. Take a look at: Cloud Security Assessments Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) People, process & planning How are your users trained to detect attacks such as phishing? Do you have access to expert help in a crisis? What cyber expertise exists in-house — is there a dedicated security leader? How do you create a positive security culture, not just rules? What threats are most relevant to your industry? Are you meeting required regulations and compliance standards? Our advice: Build better situational awareness by aligning people and processes with continuous monitoring and clearly defined escalation paths. Take a look at: Security Awareness Training Virtual CISO Services Compliance and Risk Consulting And a bonus question, with potentially the most worrying answer of all… What would a breach cost your business — financially and operationally? Putting it all together While individual solutions can address specific security challenges, working with a trusted managed services and security partner ensures cohesive, round-the-clock support across every aspect of your cyber security posture — delivering greater efficiency, resilience, and long-term value. We work with IT and security leaders across all sectors to assess risk, build resilient cyber strategies, and deliver comprehensive protection that scales with your business. From real-world penetration testing to 24/7/365 threat detection, cloud security, and expert consultancy, we’re your trusted partner in securing the ‘now’ — and preparing for what’s next.

Placeholder thumbnail

Migrating legacy on-premises PBX to the cloud: The tide has turned [whitepaper]

Cloud is the clear choice for business communications Industry watchers and pundits all agree that in the cloud-versus-premises PBX debate, the cloud has won. Cloud-based “as a service” solutions are taking off as companies look to the cloud for their unified communications (UC), collaboration, and contact centre needs.

Placeholder thumbnail

7 benefits of moving from an on-premises PBX to the cloud [whitepaper]

Tipping points: Factors typically driving the transition from a legacy PBX to cloud VoIP Essential business apps are now born in the cloud. Whether you have a CRM solution, something for HR, or simple file storage, it’s probably in the cloud. But for any number of reasons – not the least of which is the relatively large investment required for a new PBX – many businesses have delayed upgrading their PBX and moving it to the cloud. Consequently, you may be living with a communications system that lacks the capabilities and flexibility to support rapid growth or business agility. Or you may be dealing with the worry that you are literally one ageing component away from complete failure of your company’s business communications... Whatever your current situation, this paper provides useful insight, including understanding the factors typically driving the transition from a legacy PBX to cloud VoIP and factors to consider when selecting a communications provider before drilling down into each of the 7 key advantages of moving to a cloud communications system…

Placeholder thumbnail

Microsoft 365 by Wavenet - video

Microsoft 365 is a comprehensive cloud-based subscription service that integrates collaboration, communication, and productivity tools for enterprises, supported by various management and compliance services. Microsoft 365 brings together best-in class productivity apps with powerful cloud services, device management, and advanced security in one, connected experience. Once used to its full potential, Microsoft 365 can speed up processes, reduce costs, save time and make compliance easier. But its constant updates and complexity often get in the way. That’s where we help — with nine practical ways to get more value from Microsoft 365, from buying and configuring it to improving security, collaboration and everyday use. Watch our 3 minute video below, to find out how…

Close up of a server stack with flashing lights

3 reasons why reliable network infrastructure is the backbone of digital transformation

Reliable network infrastructure is the foundation of any successful digital transformation. In this short video, Tom Harris explains how strong connectivity supports secure operations, enables remote work, and gives businesses the flexibility to scale and innovate. From improved data protection to cloud readiness, learn why getting your network right is essential for long-term growth.

Top 3 cyber practices every business should adopt

Top 3 cyber practices every business should adopt

Cyber security threats are evolving, but so can your defences. In this short video, Tom Harris shares three essential practices every business should adopt to protect sensitive data and reduce risk: implementing strong access controls, delivering regular security training to employees, and keeping software up to date. These simple, proactive steps can make a big difference in strengthening your organisation’s security posture.