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FTTP, FTTC and SoGEA Explained for Business

Choosing business broadband starts with the access network: how fibre reaches your building, whether copper is still in the path, and if you need a voice product alongside data. This UK-focused guide decodes FTTP, FTTC and SoGEA without vendor hype.

Next step: Compare business broadband and VoIP options. Contact us with your postcode and current speeds for a sanity check.

FTTP — fibre to the premises

FTTP runs optical fibre to your ONT (optical network terminal). It typically delivers the highest headline speeds and symmetric options on some business tariffs. Lead times depend on build and survey status — not every “fibre available” address is quick to light.

FTTC — fibre to the cabinet

FTTC uses fibre to the street cabinet and VDSL over copper to your master socket. Speed falls with distance; upload is usually modest — painful if you run cloud backups or many video calls. It remains common where FTTP is not yet built.

SoGEA — broadband without the phone line

SoGEA is a data-only product on the Openreach single-order journey — no traditional PSTN voice on the same copper order. That matches the PSTN switch-off: you pair SoGEA with hosted VoIP or SIP. Do not assume SoGEA is “faster”; it is chiefly a ordering simplification and future-proofing move.

Picking for real workloads

Map upload needs, not download alone. If you need uptime guarantees, compare leased lines vs FTTP and read SLA small print.

Related guides

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