topic Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre? in Home Phone

SoGEA or Full Fibre?

plusmouse — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 10:50:26 GMT

There are many posts in regards to both these topics and keeping/losing a landline. My question is this:

Do I opt for PN to switch me to SoGEA where I would retain my current FTTC connection and LOSE the landline?

Go with Full Fibre (if it`s available to me and not too pricey) and still lose the landline, future-proofing myself from further disruption because if I opted for and stayed on SoGEA up until end of 2025, I`d still face the dilemma of disruption after that timeline to get FTTP anyway as the copper cables will be ceased?

What`s confusing me is this. I`ve did a quick search on this and read that even when your SoGEA, the Fibre broadband is still reliant on copper cables from the cabinet to the premises. Therefor, all that`s going to happen is I lose the landline when re-contracting. Which is looming for me mid-October anyway.

I don`t want to use a third party landline operator (already decided that) so right now, I`m juggling with the two options above and it would be easier just to ask PN to put me onto SoGEA and lose the landline and stay `as is` for my Unlimited Fibre as that just means re-contracting for that on it`s own. But I also have the option of looking at FULL fibre too, if it means by-passing having to switch to that in just over a years time all over again?

Hope that makes sense?

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

MisterW — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:00:13 GMT

If Full fibre (FTTP) is available then I recommend going for that. It's not subject to the problems with ageing copper circuits and will give a far more stable connection and at the provisioned speed, not 'up to' depending on distance to the cabinet.

You MAY have no choice anyway, once FTTP has been available for some time, then your exchange may be defined as 'Fibre priority' which means any change of product or ISP must be to an FTTP product.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

jab1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:01:38 GMT

@plusmouse Bearing in mind that you will lose the landline at some point - currently Jan 2027 - NOT 2025, and Full Fibre once setup is inherently a more stable product, my personal suggestion would be to switch to FF at the earliest opportunity, but don't forget if you still want a 'landline' type phone, you will need to arrange that as a separate connection, with a VoIP provider.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

plusmouse — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:15:49 GMT

Thanks BOTH. 🙂

@jab1 : I`d no idea that the landline cut-off date was nearer Jan 2027!! You`ve got me wondering now that I may even still have a 2 year window for another BB/Line contract with PN but I know that`s kicking the can down the road to retain what I already have. But it`s an option I suppose.

I`ll check out whether I can get FF here (FK10) postcode in Central Scotland. Check out the pricing and ponder both options. But knowing about that longer cut off date for the copper lines (and if it ends up being the best option right now) could give me a bit more time.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

Baldrick1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:42:02 GMT

@plusmouse

When considering the conflicting dates floating around then be aware that there is another factor to consider.

We have not yet heard from Plusnet when they will be closing supporting PTSN phone lines. It is a bold assumption that Plusnet will keep this going until the point that BT pulls the plug, whether it is the end on next year or January 2027.

BT are currently transferring their customers region by region regardless of whether the old system is still available.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

bmc — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:46:37 GMT

@jab1

I'll need to go looking for the ISPReview article but OR issued a clarification to the 2027 date published in a press release.The switchoff is still planned for end of 2025 execept in exceptional circumstances where ISP's (and hence their customer) can get short term contracts.

@plusmouse

It is not the copper wire that is being withdrawn - it is PSTN. While most of the cables from an Exchange to the cabinets will be redundant the wire from the FTTC cabinet to a premise will still be used for SOGEA.

If you accept the loss of your landline then FTTP is the way to go. It is far better speed wise (you'll get near advertised speeds) and is less prone to faults.

Brian

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

bmc — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:48:48 GMT

@plusmouse

If it's not, then you could check www.openreach.com to see if they have any plans for your premise.

Brian

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

jab1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:50:58 GMT

@Baldrick1 I would think, given that there is only a short period of time, technologically speaking, between now and Jan 2027, BT Consumer Division, of which PN is a small component, will, or should, have a planned strategy for managing this.

BT RETAIL (i.e. BT Broadband) are currently currently transferring their customer to the proprietary BT version of VoIP/SoGEA.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

jab1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 11:52:01 GMT

@bmc wrote:

@jab1

I'll need to go looking for the ISPReview article but OR issued a clarification to the 2027 date published in a press release.The switchoff is still planned for end of 2025 execept in exceptional circumstances where ISP's (and hence their customer) can get short term contracts.

Please do.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

MisterW — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:01:13 GMT

This one https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2024/05/openreach-update-as-analogue-uk-phone-switch-off-delayed-to-2027.html

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

jab1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:08:19 GMT

Thanks, @MisterW . Thought I had read that previously, which is what prompted me to query some of the comments in previous posts here (and, IIRC, on similar topics)

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

bmc — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:10:00 GMT

@jab1

Well that was easy. Apart from @MisterW beating me to it ISPReview had an article today (BT warning about analogue phones is Lifts) that linked to the article I was looking for.

You need to scroll down to the end to see the update about WLR contracts being withdrawn at the end of 2025. ISP's will have to request short term extensions as required for vunerable people. I would imagine that as PN are withdrawing from phone services the bulk of their customers will have until the end of 2025 to move to digital (unless PN pull the plug earlier).

Brian

Edit : 31st January 2027 is the new final closure date.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

jab1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:17:12 GMT

Given that Virgin Media have indefinitely paused their transfers, and noting that they are totally divorced from the BT infrastructure, so have obviously paused for reasons they have identified, I wonder how reliable the BT statements are?

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

RealAleMadrid — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:43:09 GMT

@jab1 Don't quite understand your comment about Virgin Media relating to the accuracy of BT statements🤔

I was writing a post to put on this thread then found a whole string of new ones covering the same subject.

This is the direct link to the PSTN short contract renewals announcement.

line rental contract terminations

The conclusion, the exact date for PSTN withdrawal is vague and undefined.

@plusmouse as has been advised to avoid uncertainty it would be a good idea to move Full Fibre (if available) or SOGEA.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

jab1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:51:01 GMT

@RealAleMadrid Sorry - all I was trying to say there (badly, it appears) is that there are a number of other factors involved in this moveable feast, not least being the readiness or otherwise of telecare, and other service providers, reliant on communications networks.

As you say, the PSTN withdrawal date is vague and undefined.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

Baldrick1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 13:04:11 GMT

So my interpretation in simple words:

Openreach have served notice to Plusnet that the PSTN will be switched off at the end of 2025. BUT, if Plusnet has registered vulnerable customers who have inadequate back up safeguards in the event of a powercut, then Plusnet can request a 3 monthly stay of execution for such customers for 3 months, renewable at 3 monthly intervals up until January 2027.

Yes/No/Not Sure?

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

jab1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 13:07:00 GMT

Totally confused, but as I have given my answer to @plusmouse , and to avoid confusing them any more, I'm leaving this topic.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

plusmouse — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:20:10 GMT

It still sounds a bit "Will it, won`t it" with the switch off dates but going by what you guys have reported and from what you have read so far, the 2025 date given is likely to be the cut-off for most people unless given that exceptional circumstance extension.

I`ve checked my PN account page and here are the details I can see edited to explain what`s on offer to me:

Current package 38/40Mb Unlimited BB & Phoneline = £28.05p a month (ends middle of October 2024)

* `Renewal Offer` (the same as above) but = £27.99p a month (so 6p cheaper! 🙄....this could change soon though as some offers disappear and a new one emerges. I also usually receive an email offer before my contract expires so I wait for that to come through, but chances are it won`t be a FF offer.

Below these on my accounts page, it states this:

In the FAQ section, it says the following about FULL FIBRE: "It`s so new it`s not available everywhere just yet, but the great news is you`re one of our lucky customers who can upgrade to FF right now".

So that sounds to me as if FF is open to me without looking? The cheapest available is 74Mb FF for £26.99p a month. So cheaper than both the above. However, there will be the annual % increases to factor in. I`m not sure why the price for BB only still reflects the pricing where the phone line is still there when it`s not? Or is it due to the Fibre speeds being faster so the pricing reflects that? 🤔

Thanks for your thoughts on this everyone, it`s now a choice of either SoGEA FTTC = No landline or, FF = No landline, or switching to BT VOICE, which is an option, but not keen. I prefer PN. I`ve also spoken to my Mother about her having a basic mobile and she`s keen to do that, so that`s the route I`ll probably take as it means Mum can have her own mobile while I can concentrate on the BB on it`s own without worrying about a landline all the time.

@jab1 : NO worries, I appreciate our input.

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

jab1 — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 16:28:20 GMT

@plusmouse As I said previously, moving to Full Fibre now is the best option, and as your mum is happy to dispense with the landline and move to a mobile, I see no reason why you can't move now. Despite the oft-repeated 'but what happens in a power cut?' comment, to be honest, how many of those do the vast majority suffer over a length of time which is likely to cause a significant issue?

Re: SoGEA or Full Fibre?

plusmouse — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 17:00:24 GMT

Very true jab1. And having no landline means any `power outages` would only affect the broadband as the router is plugged into a power source. I can live with that. Or does having FULL FIBRE mean an electrical outage with the power wouldn`t affect that? Silly question but I don`t know the answer!

But having the mobiles means a power outage won`t prevent us being left without a lifeline which is the main thing.