SoGEA vs FTTP: Which Broadband Should You Choose?

Broadband choice used to be simple. If you couldn’t get full fibre, you relied on copper. But today, two services dominate the UK: SoGEA and FTTP.

Both are fast, both are digital, and both promise better reliability than old FTTC — but they’re designed for very different needs.

If you’re unsure which one is right for you, don’t worry. This guide breaks down everything in plain English so you can make the right choice immediately.

What Exactly Is SoGEA?

SoGEA stands for Single Order Generic Ethernet Access.

In simpler terms:

It’s FTTC without the phone line.
Broadband only. No dial tone. No copper-based voice service.

This matters because traditional FTTC introduced problems:

• Line crackling

• Voice interference

• Higher fault rates

• Slower repairs

By stripping out the phone line, SoGEA becomes cleaner and more stable.

Typical SoGEA speeds

• 40/10

• 80/20

And here’s the important bit:

Even though SoGEA uses part copper, removing the voice layer reduces issues dramatically.

This is why SoGEA is now the UK’s standard replacement for FTTC.

What Is FTTP?

FTTP — Full Fibre to the Premises — is exactly what it sounds like:

Fibre all the way into your home or business with zero copper.

It’s the gold standard of broadband.

Typical FTTP speeds

• 100Mb

• 300Mb

• 500Mb

• 900Mb

• Up to 2.5Gb synchronous in XGS-PON enabled areas

FTTP is:

• Faster

• More resilient

• Less affected by distance

• Future-proof

• Low latency

If you can get it, it’s almost always the best choice.

SoGEA vs FTTP: The Real Differences

Let’s break it down clearly.

1. Speed & Performance

SoGEA: Up to 80Mb
FTTP: Up to 2.5Gb symmetrical

If you rely on:

• Cloud apps

• HD video

• Remote working

• File uploads

• CCTV streaming

• VoIP

FTTP’s speed difference is massive.

Winner: FTTP

But SoGEA is more than enough for everyday usage or small offices.

2. Reliability

SoGEA is stable, but FTTP is in another league.

Winner: FTTP

When there’s no copper, there’s very little to go wrong.

3. Installation

Here’s where SoGEA wins.

• SoGEA installs fast

• Minimal engineering needed

• Often activates remotely

FTTP installs require:

• Potential internal wiring

• Fibre routing

• Engineer access

• Sometimes a full build (if no fibre present)

Winner: SoGEA (for speed of install)

4. Availability

FTTP is expanding rapidly, but it still isn’t everywhere.

Meanwhile:

SoGEA is available in almost every location where FTTC exists.

So if full fibre isn’t live yet, SoGEA is your next best option.

Winner: SoGEA (availability)

5. Pricing

SoGEA is cheaper — but FTTP offers far better value per Mbps.

SoGEA typical pricing:

£36.95 – £40.95/month

FTTP typical pricing:

Ranges depending on speed, but not significantly higher for mid-range packages.

Winner: Depends

• Budget users → SoGEA

• Performance-focused users → FTTP wins easily

6. Use Case: SoGEA or FTTP?

Choose SoGEA if:

✔ FTTP isn’t available
✔ You’re upgrading from FTTC
✔ You want low-cost digital broadband
✔ You’re a small business with light-medium usage
✔ You need a backup line alongside a leased line

Choose FTTP if:

✔ You want ultrafast full fibre
✔ You rely heavily on cloud services
✔ You work from home
✔ You want symmetrical bandwidth (up to 2.5Gb)
✔ You want maximum reliability with minimal downtime

Where Leased Lines Fit Into This (Important)

Some customers compare SoGEA and FTTP, but forget about one thing:

Neither SoGEA nor FTTP provide guaranteed speeds or a fix-time.

If uptime is mission-critical, you need:

• Dedicated fibre

• 99.999% SLA

• 4-hour fix

• Symmetrical up to 100Gb

So:

• Everyday users: SoGEA or FTTP

• Heavy business users: FTTP or leased line

• Mission-critical teams: Leased line only

Which Is Better Overall?

FTTP is the best broadband where available

Fast, stable, future-proof, and up to 2.5Gb.

SoGEA is the best alternative where FTTP is not live

Affordable, simple, and far better than older FTTC.

Put simply:

• FTTP is the long-term future

• SoGEA is the reliable bridge to get there

Check What You Can Get at Your Postcode

Your next step takes 5 seconds:

https://www.leasedlineandmpls.co.uk/sogea/

You’ll instantly see:

• Whether SoGEA is available

• Whether FTTP is available

• Exact pricing

• Speeds you can get today