While trigger is area based actual decision is based on what is available to an individual property.

SOGEA can be either FTTC or FTTP, it is just a service with no WLR component

My company has had the same e-mail from IDNet for one of our rural circuits, but that circuit has complexities. First, IDNet do not provide the copper, they re-sell an Openreach/BT ADSL link that uses the copper. We rent the copper from TalkTalk. The reason for this odd arrangement is that historically both the PSTN connection and the ADSL were supplied by an ISP that got bought by TalkTalk. However the exchange did not have local loop unbundling, so TalkTalk put the ADSL back-haul through Daisy and throughput fell to < 100 kb/s at busy times. We therefore moved the ADSL to IDNet which got us back to Openrach/BT infrastructure and full throughput.
All works well and we need the PSTN as it has alarm signals going through it. Why have n't the alarm signals been moved off the PSTN? Because there is no FTTP available, we have maintained power, but the local FTTC drops 45mins into a power cut as does the back-up cellular. The local exchange has battery and auto-start diesel back-up which keeps both ADSL and PSTN working and in the last 15 years there has not been a power cut of length such that this has failed.
I asked IDNet whether they proposed to charge us extra, even though we don't rent our copper from them, and they said no; the message was sent to us by mistake.
There is no date for Openreach FTTP. Gigaclear did not get close, because of private land issues, and, in any case they have the same power cut vulnerability as FTTC, so no advantage.

Edited to correct information after MrSaffron post below.

In reply to a post by ajseeds:

My company has had the same e-mail from IDNet for one of our rural circuits, but that circuit has complexities. First, IDNet do not provide the copper, they re-sell an Openreach/BT ADSL link that uses the copper. We rent the copper from TalkTalk. The reason for this odd arrangement is that historically both the PSTN connection and the ADSL were supplied by an ISP that got bought by TalkTalk. However the exchange did not have local loop unbundling, so TalkTalk put the ADSL back-haul through Daisy and throughput fell to < 100 kb/s at busy times. We therefore moved the ADSL to IDNet which got us back to Openrach/BT infrastructure and full throughput.

So that sounds like the ADSL data service is provided using Openreach DSLAM (with IDnet as the ISP) and the voice service is provided by Whole Sale Line Rental (WLR) openreach service, and TalkTalk are handling the money for the line rental and the voice.

All works well and we need the PSTN as it has alarm signals going through it. Why have n't the alarm signals been moved off the PSTN? Because there is no FTTP available, we have maintained power, but the local FTTC drops 45mins into a power cut as does the back-up cellular. The local exchange has battery and auto-start diesel back-up which keeps both ADSL and PSTN working and in the last 15 years there has not been a power cut of length such that this has failed.

Except Openreach have told everyone, and have Ofcom agreement, that WLR and PSTN are to close by 2027. The physical exchange building WILL close eventually too.

There is no date for Openreach FTTP.

No connection between FTTP and the closure of WLR and PSTN. People assume it, but there is zero connection.

If TalkTalk had installed their LLU hardware in the exchange then there COULD be a different date.

see:
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-broadband/landli...

https://business.bt.com/insights/uk-pstn-switch-off/

Edited by jchamier (Sat 31-Jan-26 17:37:42)

PSTN switch off does not mean those lines with just ADSL are being cut off, those DSLAM will continue for now but you move from WLR+ADSL to SOADSL. Same DSLAM same ADSL speeds same exchange level battery backup for the kit

If everything is provided by other people as other poster suggests why are IDNet involved at all?

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

PSTN switch off does not mean those lines with just ADSL are being cut off, those DSLAM will continue for now but you move from WLR+ADSL to SOADSL. Same DSLAM same ADSL speeds same exchange level battery backup for the kit

Gotcha, thanks for the update. I guess with exchange closure eventually SOADSL will disappear as well, but years after WLR.

If everything is provided by other people as other poster suggests why are IDNet involved at all?

Good question.

Edited by jchamier (Sat 31-Jan-26 17:36:06)

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

PSTN switch off does not mean those lines with just ADSL are being cut off, those DSLAM will continue for now but you move from WLR+ADSL to SOADSL. Same DSLAM same ADSL speeds same exchange level battery backup for the kit

IIRC this migration path is not permitted if SOGEA or FTTP is available to the premises, it would have to be to SOGEA + digital voice which in this case is not reliable during power outages.

More generally the WLR withdrawl is going to force ADSL customers to be upgraded to SOGEA or FTTP, if either of these are available to their premises, optionally with digital voice if they still require a voice service. (I'm still unclear as to why Openreach had to invent SOTAP, technically it is no different from MPF feeding an LLU MSAN)

If everything is provided by other people as other poster suggests why are IDNet involved at all?

My reading of the setup was:
Originally WLR+ADSL from ISP X
ISP X bought by TalkTalk, no LLU so ADSL backhaul migrated from BT Wholesale to Daisy
ADSL moved to IDnet due to poor performance, ADSL backhaul reverts to BT Wholesale

So currently paying TalkTalk for WLR only and IDnet for ADSL.

If migration were permitted by exception then the IDnet could convert from ADSL, currently using SMPF, to SOADSL using SOTAP, assuming IDnet offer it, with the TalkTalk WLR ceasing. Then a digital voice / VoIP service from IDnet or another provider with which the current alarm signalling is hopefully compatible.

In reply to a post by MrSaffron:

customers to be upgraded to SOGEA

Interesting take on customers losing a service.

In reply to a post by tdw42:

which in this case is not reliable during power outages.

I suspect neither Openreach or any of the mentioned ISPs are offering contractually a service that works in a power outage. That would be a higher level of business service, such as a "leased line". Whilst the home consumer has for decades had the benefit of exchange powered voice services, and Openreach FTTC has had batteries in the cabinets, I don't think any of this is contractually provided. Worth checking with ISPs if this is a critical requirement; I would assume very few would enter into discussion even AAISP, over consumer services.

Edited by jchamier (Sun 01-Feb-26 14:25:27)

In reply to a post by jchamier:

I suspect neither Openreach or any of the mentioned ISPs are offering contractually a service that works in a power outage.

According to the Ofcom General Conditions of entitlement:
A3.3 Regulated Providers must inform their Relevant Customers in plain English and in an easily accessible manner that access to Emergency Organisations using VoIP Outbound Call Services may cease if there is a power cut or power failure, or a failure of the internet connection on which the service relies. This information must be provided during the sales process, within the terms and conditions of use, and in any user guide issued by the Regulated Provider.

I don't know how obvious this is made in the BT and other providers sign-up process, however the BT Digital Voice terms of service includes:
9. What happens to my Digital Voice service in the event of a power cut?
It won’t work, so you won’t be able to make or receive calls, including to the Emergency Organisations.
10. Are there any BT products available to help keep me connected in the event of a power cut?
You can buy our battery back-up unit (BBU) which will keep your phone line connected for up to an hour if there’s a power cut.

For SOGEA this is also reliant on the Openreach DSLAM having backup power. I can't find any Openreach terms of service, I expect they are only available to commuications providers who use their services, however their All IP FAQs v1.7 includes:
Q16. In the event of a power cut, can I power the router independently and still have connectivity?
If you can provide a suitable Battery Back Up for your Router, then it will continue to allow access to the router and onward services.
Q17. Will Communication Providers be providing routers with battery back-up to provide some resilience?
CPs must provide a Battery Back Up unit for vulnerable customers that will give a minimum of one hour of power for the router, in accordance with OFCOM guidance. If you do not qualify as a vulnerable customer, you may wish to purchase one of these units from your CP or from an independent supplier.
Q18. I don’t think 1 hour is long enough for a Battery Back Up Unit, what should I do?
OFCOM have directed CPs to provide a unit that will give at least one hour of power to a router for critical 999 calls. If you wish to add more power units these can be purchased independently from some CPs and other independent suppliers.

The latter implies that Openeach will maintain DSLAM power for at least an hour, but without stating a minimum the suggestion of customers having a greater capacity backup unit, e.g. the one in this https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2025/03/broadb... news article, is rather pointless for SOGEA customers and this is not made clear in the CPs documentation.

As an aside I live in a town and only have infrequent power outages, but the from the few in the last 5+ years I know the battery in the DSLAM serving my premises is dead or missing as my modem looses sync immediate the power fails. Openreach either don't bother monitoring or don't care to fix, my ISP wouldn't escalate and end users can't contact Openreach so stuck. If this is commonplace the BT Digital Voice terms of service cannot be met.

Edited by tdw42 (Sun 01-Feb-26 17:17:04)