SoGEA - Exception

[#1]

I'm trying to find out if SoGEA is available to my home, but the word "exception" appears on the BT Wholesale page.

In layman's terms, what does this mean.

Thanks.

[#2]

@Xanadu_2 

Gemini AI suggests 

An "availability exception" for WBC SOGEA means that despite general service availability in an area, there may be specific reasons why a connection cannot be ordered for a particular address. These exceptions are often related to technical limitations, such as:

• No available port: There may be no spare ports in the local street cabinet to provide a new connection.

• WLR Withdrawal stop sell rules: The premises might be in an area where traditional copper products (like FTTC) are no longer being sold due to the ongoing national switch-off of the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and a move to all-digital services. In these cases, service providers are directed to sell SOGEA or full fibre (FTTP) products instead, and ordering a copper product may be restricted or only available "by exception."

• FTTP priority areas: Some areas have been designated as "Full Fibre Priority" exchanges, where providers are required to offer FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) as the primary product. In these locations, ordering SOGEA may only be permitted in exceptional cases, such as for non-standard premises or if the FTTP installation fails.

I see you currently have a  ADSL connection, also note that FTTP is available at your address, so you are mostly likely only going to be offered a Full Fibre upgrade 

I would suggest phoning Customer Options 0800 013 2632 to see what they say.

EDIT: "Single Dwelling Unit Residential UG prebuilt to curtilage Hard"  - this may result in some extra Openreach work to get the fibre cable to your property.

[#3]

@Xanadu_2 

You don't show enough of the availability checker output to see but this suggests that you are in a fibre priority area. It reads that Full Fibre is available but installation will need for a hard surface (tarmac/paving/concrete for example) will need digging up to install an underground duct from the public pavement to your property.

Whether Plusnet can convert your current contract to SoGEA can only be determined by asking. Ring the Customer Options Team on 0800 013 2632.

One thing that you should realise is that if you are in a fibre priority area, (more and more areas will be as Full Fibre is rolled out), unless Openreach, after a survey, decide that it's too hard to dig up the hard service, you will not have the option to move to a different ISP without going through the hassle of Full Fibre installation. I guess that whether you want to get it over with now and get a faster, more reliable service going forward is determined by how long that you intend staying in the property.

Whilst a SoGEA connection may be reliable now, as time goes by this obsolete service will be maintained using equipment recovered from other exchanges on a make do and mend basis. so will become increasingly unreliable.

[#4]

@Xanadu_2  The exchange product restrictions on the checker show that is is a Fibre Priority exchange so Full Fibre is the only product you can order.

[#5]

@Xanadu_2 

To the right of WBC FTTP (Full Fibre) shows KCI2

This means a survey is required prior to install as, as noted, some digging may be required.

Unless you have something against Full Fibre I would go with that is it provides a better service.

Brian

[#6]

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@Baldrick1 wrote:

@Xanadu_2 

You don't show enough of the availability checker output to see...

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Sorry, here is the rest of it.

So, it seems from your answers that I will have to go with FTTP no matter which ISP I may choose to use in the future. I currently have an ADSL connection which has become very unstable over the last few weeks and after two Open Reach appointments it doesn't seem to be any better. I was looking for a no hassle switch to SoGEA to avoid the inconvenience of a fibre installation.

Thank you all for your replies.

[#7]

@Xanadu_2 

You did show enough to give definitive answers.

You are on a Fibre Priority Exchange when means you cannot order anything other than Full Fibre if this is available. This applies of you stay with PN or move to another ISP.

As previously stated, the Checker is showing KCI2 which means a survey is required. The narrative you showed originally suggests a "hard" dig is required ie tarmac or concrete.

Sometime in the nearish future this will matter as when PSTN is withdrawn you will need to change product to continue receiving an internet service.

Brian

[#8]

@Xanadu_2 

You edited your reply as I was typing my response.

I'm afraid you're going to have to bite the bullet and move to Full Fibre. PN will upgrade you now but at the cost of a new contract.

If your phone number matters to you you have 30 days to port it to an independant VOIP provider once your FF install completes.

Brian

[#9]

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@bmc wrote:

@Xanadu_2 

The narrative you showed originally suggests a "hard" dig is required ie tarmac or concrete.

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After taking a closer look at a cover on the public footpath thirty feet from my front door, I'm hoping digging won't be necessary. I wasn't aware of any digging when my upstairs neighbour had fibre connected recently.

I think this is a telecoms cover?

[#10]

@Xanadu_2 

That's what the survey is for - to find out what, if anything, is required.

When the backbone network is installed, they do a basic check of access to properties and, if anything is spotted, they make a note so if an order is placed they can do a detailed check first. With my house they rodded the duct and left a draw rope in place. The Checker results showed "u/g duct provan clear"

If no digging was required for your neighbour then that is indeed a good sign.

Brian

[#11]

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@Xanadu_2 wrote:

After taking a closer look at a cover on the public footpath thirty feet from my front door, I'm hoping digging won't be necessary. I wasn't aware of any digging when my upstairs neighbour had fibre connected recently.

 The availability checker may well be out of date and there is a duct to your property, The BT hatch fits with the description. Curtilage is Openreach talk for  the boundary of your property, such as the public pavement.

My understanding is that before January 2027, if you want to keep a fixed ‘broadband’ connection, you will have no option but to have Full Fibre installed.

[#12]

@Xanadu_2 

This is one of those where you'll only find out what's required when (if) you order FTTP.

At the moment, to answer your original question, SOGEA isn't available unless OR can't do the FTTP install.

Brian