A particular concern for many UK residents and business owners is the future of their internet service in light of the upcoming BT switch off of all analogue lines in 2025. Will the standard FTTC broadband continue to work, or will people have to switch to a new service?

We’re here to guide you through these changes, debunk myths, and help you make an informed decision on what type of internet is right for you.

What is FTTC Anyway?

FTTC, or Fibre to the Cabinet, is a broadband setup where fibre optic cables run to your local street cabinet (those green boxes you’ve likely noticed), with copper cables carrying the signal the rest of the way to your home or business.

This method, sometimes referred to as “standard broadband,” contrasts with FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), or “full-fibre”, which delivers a fibre optic line directly to your location. While FTTC is more cost-effective than FTTP, it typically offers slower internet speeds due to the limitations of copper cabling.

FTTC is still very widespread and is still used in many homes and businesses across the UK.

Unpacking the BT Switch Off

The heart of the matter lies with BT’s decision to switch off the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by 2025.

This is a move away from the traditional, copper-based network. This infrastructure is becoming old, fragile and difficult to maintain. The change signals the end for analogue ISDN and PSTN lines. In fact, following the stop sell at the end of 2023, it’s no longer possible to buy new analogue lines at all.

Interestingly, some regions, such as Salisbury, have already switched, showing that the change is imminent for the rest of the country.

Will FTTC stop working after the Switch off?

So, will FTTC broadband be affected by the BT switch off? In short, no.

FTTC services will continue to function as normal after 2025. The switch off targets analogue phone lines and anything connected to them (like fax machines, alarms, door entry systems or card machines).

The underlying broadband services that use the copper infrastructure will not be affected.

What’s the Future of FTTC?

This is a different question to the one posed above.

While FTTC will work beyond the switch off, it’s important to recognise that the underlying copper network it relies on is very old, some of it dating back to the 1800s.

As a result, we can assume FTTC will be gradually phased out in favour of more advanced and reliable broadband solutions, such as FTTP and SOGEA.

Exploring Alternatives to FTTC

The primary contenders to replace FTTC include FTTP and SOGEA.

FTTP offers faster speeds and direct fibre optic connection, offering a future-proof internet solution. However, despite BT’s ambitious target for full-fibre coverage, not everyone will benefit from this upgrade immediately. Currently, there’s around 64% full-fibre coverage in the UK and BT’s goal is for 25 million premises to be using full-fibre by 2026. So, it looks like everyone in the country won’t be on full fibre within the next few years.

The other alternative is SOGEA (Single Order Generic Ethernet Access). SOGEA is a type of broadband connection that delivers internet connectivity over a single broadband line without the need for a traditional phone line.

SOGEA is very similar similarly to FTTC or “standard broadband ”in terms of speed and cost, with the added advantage of not requiring a traditional phone line, making it a more modern solution.

Summary

With the 2025 deadline for the BT switch off approaching, it’s natural to have concerns about your current FTTC service.

However, there’s no immediate cause for alarm, as FTTC will still work after this date. Nevertheless, this pivotal moment could be an ideal time to transition to a full-fibre (FTTP) solution, ensuring your business is poised to take advantage of faster speeds and a more robust service for years to come. At Tetra Networks, we’re dedicated to helping you navigate these changes. If you’re unsure which is the best broadband solution for your needs, our team is ready to provide expert advice and support. Contact us today to discover the best choice for your business.