SoGEA Question

Hi,

I am just about to move into a rented property. Over the past few years I have been using mobile broadband, 4g, but it's not great at my new address.

Been out of touch with fixed broadband unfortunately.

The flat has several BT sockets (with a master socket) but when a phone is plugged in nothing, no dial tone. Line is totally dead.

I wanted to get SoGEA and wanted to be clear about several things

1. I take it this would be a new installation

2. Obviously I have the property address and also the UPRN

Is there anything else that I need before I call the ISP? Some web pages talk about a Access Line ID but there is no dial tone

3. How long does it take for a new such install?

Any help much appreciated

Cheers

Hi

1. I take it this would be a new installation

If there is already a line there, then no: Openreach will already know if there is a service there when they send an engineer to go and connect your property in the cabinet. If the line is indeed present and available, they would just re-activate the existing service. Openreach are no longer selling analogue-based PSTN services, hence why you will never hear a dial tone by testing sockets, as that part of the service is gone.

Is there anything else that I need before I call the ISP? Some web pages talk about a Access Line ID but there is no dial tone

All you need is a postcode, but you should make sure the postcode is entered correctly on the Royal Mail database, that is what Openreach use to ensure your property has the correct line.

Access Line IDs are irrelevant until you have a working broadband service. And in any case, most people don't really use those, unless there is some exceptional reason to know the circuit ID.

3. How long does it take for a new such install?

In the highly unlikely event that no line plant exists, how long is a piece of string? Openreach will almost certainly not install a new copper-line plant if it doesn't exist, they would just default to FTTP. But there is almost certainly likely to be an existing line at the property, so you just go online, find the ISP that you like that uses the Openreach network and place an order, you will get a router which you connect to the socket and wait for it to be activated.

Most kind, thanks for providing clarity

Cheers

In reply to a post by some_edin_guy:

If there is already a line there,

I agree with this post in the main. But if OR Fibre has been built outside the premises, I think that all that will be on offer is FTTP with a new install. OR will probably have taken the opportunity of the previous tenant ceasing service as their cue to discontinue copper voice, ADSL and FTTC. In which case OP may need permission from the landlord. Let's hope this is not a property in a block of flats.

In reply to a post by DFScale:

In reply to a post by some_edin_guy:

If there is already a line there,

I agree with this post in the main. But if OR Fibre has been built outside the premises, I think that all that will be on offer is FTTP with a new install. OR will probably have taken the opportunity of the previous tenant ceasing service as their cue to discontinue copper voice, ADSL and FTTC. In which case OP may need permission from the landlord. Let's hope this is not a property in a block of flats.

I have to disagree. Openreach is unlikely to proactively disconnect copper from the cabinet end when a service is ceased, unless there's a wait list for other customers.

The OP made no mention of FTTP being available. If FTTP has been built to serve the premises, then in *some* areas where there is also a "copper stop sell" is in force, ordering FTTP will be the only option. But that's only the case where FTTP *is* available at that particular property, and that includes having wayleave to install FTTP to the property.

In short, all the OP has to do is to order the SOGEA service from chosen provider. They'll get Openreach to activate the line and the chances are it can all be done remotely. If there's a need for an engineer visit either to the cabinet or to the property, they'll arrange it.

If there does happen to be a copper stop sell in service, they'll find this out immediately at ordering time (i.e. the SOGEA order will not be accepted)

It is a flat in a block....

I have found out that the previous supplier was Hyperoptics. Their service was discontinued on the 14th Oct

Went onto their site and they said they would provide broadband. Don't know if it would be through the BT phone plugs as I could not see any other socket in the property

I also looked at the IDnet site and they say SoGEA is available for the property

Both times I just entered the property address

Don't really want to go with Hyperoptics

Any further clarity appreciated as I need to place an order today

In reply to a post by candlerb:

In reply to a post by DFScale:

In reply to a post by some_edin_guy:

I have to disagree. Openreach is unlikely to proactively disconnect copper from the cabinet end when a service is ceased, unless there's a wait list for other customers.

The OP made no mention of FTTP being available. If FTTP has been built to serve the premises, then in *some* areas where there is also a "copper stop sell" is in force, ordering FTTP will be the only option. But that's only the case where FTTP *is* available at that particular property, and that includes having wayleave to install FTTP to the property.

In short, all the OP has to do is to order the SOGEA service from chosen provider. They'll get Openreach to activate the line and the chances are it can all be done remotely. If there's a need for an engineer visit either to the cabinet or to the property, they'll arrange it.

If there does happen to be a copper stop sell in service, they'll find this out immediately at ordering time (i.e. the SOGEA order will not be accepted)

I made my comment more for posterity. This is a changing situation and 2025's answers may not hold into much of 2026.

Hyperoptic have their own network, so won’t use ‘the BT plugs’. There will/ought to be a fibre ONT in there somewhere, unless someone has removed it.

I’d go the Hyperoptic route if I had that as a choice

In reply to a post by risk_reversal:

Hi,

I am just about to move into a rented property. Over the past few years I have been using mobile broadband, 4g, but it's not great at my new address.

Been out of touch with fixed broadband unfortunately.

The flat has several BT sockets (with a master socket) but when a phone is plugged in nothing, no dial tone. Line is totally dead.

I wanted to get SoGEA and wanted to be clear about several things

1. I take it this would be a new installation

2. Obviously I have the property address and also the UPRN

Is there anything else that I need before I call the ISP? Some web pages talk about a Access Line ID but there is no dial tone

3. How long does it take for a new such install?

Any help much appreciated

Cheers

Nowadays you won't hear a dial-tone because phone lines have switched to digital. I'm with IDNet too. What you'll need is to get SoGEA and a VOIP package to get a phone line. You'll then need to buy a VOIP adaptor that plugs into your router via Ethernet and converts the signal to analogue so you can use your old phone.

On a side note, have you checked that your new property doesn't have G.Fast? It's worth checking as you may be able to get 330, 500, 1000 Mbps over your copper phone line.

In reply to a post by Zarjaz:

I’d go the Hyperoptic route if I had that as a choice

same !
If i had a choice between SoGEA (even at 80mbit/s) vs Hyperoptic, I'd go Hyperoptic all day long.

Contact Hyperoptic and order a broadband service with a connection speed that suits your needs. If their ONT is missing, then an engineer visit will be required. Hyperoptic will supply a router which might have an inbuilt ATA for a VoIP service. However contributors to this site often recommend using a Gigaset base station with the number of handsets to suit your needs. Chose a base station that does NOT incorporate an answering facility. It is further recommended that you use a VoIP provider other than Hyperoptic.

You are not obliged to take a VoIP service with a fibre service, falling back on just your mobile for voice calls. I personally would not make that choice.

Remember that during a power failure you lose your phone service with wireless phones but that issue can be overcome with UPS hardware which will escalate in price as you seek longer periods of service.

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

Contact Hyperoptic and order a broadband service with a connection speed that suits your needs. If their ONT is missing, then an engineer visit will be required.

In many flats Hyperoptic don’t use ONT, but a RJ45 ethernet connection, as they have a business point to point connection elsewhere in the building and switches to share it between properties. It is possible they can sell using other wholesale networks now though.

Hyperoptic can optionally supply voice via their router, HyperHub:
https://www.hyperoptic.com/faq/posts/how-does-hypero...

Given it sounds like a BT port on the back, you could plug in any DECT base station if you need cordless. Then less expense.

You are not obliged to take a VoIP service with a fibre service, falling back on just your mobile for voice calls. I personally would not make that choice.

Millions have, including myself. But I do (strangely) have three mobile phones on different networks.

Remember that during a power failure you lose your phone service with wireless phones but that issue can be overcome with UPS hardware which will escalate in price as you seek longer periods of service.

My broadband is with Virgin Media, in a power cut the cabinets in the street go off. Doesn’t matter what UPS I use.

Edited by jchamier (Mon 03-Nov-25 19:44:27)

In reply to a post by jchamier:

In reply to a post by trolleybus:

Contact Hyperoptic and order a broadband service with a connection speed that suits your needs. If their ONT is missing, then an engineer visit will be required.

In many flats Hyperoptic don’t use ONT, but a RJ45 ethernet connection, as they have a business point to point connection elsewhere in the building and switches to share it between properties. It is possible they can sell using other wholesale networks now though.

Hyperoptic can optionally supply voice via their router, HyperHub:
https://www.hyperoptic.com/faq/posts/how-does-hypero...

Given it sounds like a BT port on the back, you could plug in any DECT base station if you need cordless. Then less expense.

You are not obliged to take a VoIP service with a fibre service, falling back on just your mobile for voice calls. I personally would not make that choice.

Millions have, including myself. But I do (strangely) have three mobile phones on different networks.

Remember that during a power failure you lose your phone service with wireless phones but that issue can be overcome with UPS hardware which will escalate in price as you seek longer periods of service.

My broadband is with Virgin Media, in a power cut the cabinets in the street go off. Doesn’t matter what UPS I use.

Picking up on the points made in response to my earlier posting:

* I doubt that for an MDU new service, it can be totally an DIY affair.
* The inbuilt ATA of the ISP supplied router for a VoIP service is often locked to that ISPs offering. Not ideal, but you can of course use your existing PSTN hardware connected to the router. To use an alternative VoIP provider then a separate ATA would be required or digital voice hardware. However, Joe Public tends to fall back on using their mobile phone only; the jury's out on that being a wise choice.
* Many of use have to use WiFi calling as the public service is poor or non existent, so a loss of the internet means you are totally cut off from the outside world.
* I personally think it is totally unacceptable for any roadside telecoms cabinet to go down immediately following a power loss. Those that don't become congested with the sudden increase of traffic. Fibre to the home should bypass that issue, so having a UPS in place is worthwhile but an expensive luxury.