Unraveling the Complexity of Origin-Based Surcharges in Telecoms

In the vast landscape of telecommunications, where every call connects individuals, businesses, and communities across the globe, lies a complex pricing phenomenon known as origin-based surcharges. Origin-based pricing is the fundamental concept that calls to the same destination can incur different prices based on where each call originates. Let's delve into this intricate world to understand what these surcharges entail and how they impact the telecom industry and its consumers.

Openreach - The major network supplier of Telephone Line and Broadband services to ISPs are increasing their pricing on some products. The older style WLR3 based services (copper) will see prices increase in what Openreach describe and the motivator to move users to their newer technologies (SOGEA and FTTP).

Please check your portals for the latest tariff increases.

WLR Care Level Price Increases

What is Happening?

Firstly, DONT PAINIC! You may well have heard of plans to close the PSTN. To be specific, we are talking about the withdrawal of Openreach based WLR and ISDN services, as the PSTN marches on towards its grave and an ‘All IP’ future is realised. We mentioned this 2 years ago but now is the time to prepare.1

What is SoGEA?

Single Order Generic Ethernet Access (SoGEA) is a new Openreach product which enables providers to order FTTC products without a phone line. Other Single Order Transitional Access Product (SOTAP) products are available for ADSL2+ (SoADSL) and G.Fast (SoGFAST) product variants.

Homes and businesses currently connect to Openreach’s infrastructure using WLR (Wholesale Line Rental) and then add broadband as an additional service on top. Most ISPs will bundle these together as packages by default but you can pick and choose if you please.

The RIPE NCC is the EMEA Regional Internet Registry (RIR) providing global Internet resources and related services (IPv4, IPv6 and AS Number resources). RIPE very recently (03/10/19) advised after years or prior warnings that the IPv4 addressing is expected to be completely exhausted in the coming months.[1]

The VoiceHost core network has operated IPv6 for many years but now our broadband users can leverage the power of IPv6 too.