The UK is marching towards a fully digital era, which means a transition away from antiquated and less dependable technology for homes. One of the greatest casualties in this substantial digital overhaul are the copper-based landlines that have provided over a century of connectivity.
These aging wires strung above streets nationwide can’t maintain pace with the demands of contemporary life and are gradually being retired.
In some areas, copper connections for phone and broadband services are already no longer in use, with a hefty 1.6 million more residences set to follow, the most considerable shift witnessed thus far.
BT’s Openreach, the backbone provider of Britain’s telecoms infrastructure, has announced a sweeping ‘stop sell’ agenda. Owing to this, a total of 163 exchange sites will eventually be unable to continue offering copper-derived products, reports the Express.
Homes are now expected to transition to state-of-the-art fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) systems, which promise not only swift internet access but also advanced phone services through digital voice features.
Openreach delineates the concept by stating, “Stop Sell is triggered when a majority (75%) of premises connected to a particular exchange can get ultrafast Full Fibre. Customers who then want to switch, upgrade or re-grade their broadband or phone service will have to take a new digital service over our new Full Fibre network.”
The latest update reveals that by the beginning of June, ‘stop sell’ rules will have been implemented in 943 exchanges across the UK. This means over eight million properties will be subject to active Stop Sell.
To check the status of your area, you can use the Openreach postcode checker to see if Full Fibre services are available.
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Areas due to be affected by Openreach landline switch
Nuneaton, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Shustoke, Fen End, Lichfield, Coventry, Clacton-on-Sea, Canvey Island, Ware, Hertford, Colchester, Lakenheath, Norwich, Hemsby, Ipswich, Nottingham, Birstall, Broughton (Kettering), Northampton (Northamptonshire), Parwich, Peterborough, Shirebrook, Surfleet Seas End, Tamworth, Whittlesey, Wymondham (Melton), Wisbech, Armadale, Abbey St Bathans, Avonbridge, Dundee, Forfar, Rosyth, Greater Manchester – Wigan, Southport, Thornton (Wyre), Preston (Lancashire), Greater Manchester – Rochdale, Greater Manchester – Wigan, Ulverston, Greater London – Redbridge, South Ockendon, St Albans, Woking, Swanscombe, Greater London – Merton, Redhill (Surrey), Greater London – Greenwich, Warrington, Liverpool, Greater London – Harrow, Greater London – Harrow, Greater London – Barnet, Greater Manchester – Tameside, Greater Manchester – Manchester, Wilsden, Hemingbrough, Howden, Halifax, Newington, Snodland, Margate, Ditton, Bowburn, Durham, Melsonby, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Sunderland, Whitburn, Banff, Baltasound, Carrbridge, Dishes, Forres, Peterhead, Clivocast, Gosport, Peacehaven, Polegate, Seaford, Sheffield, Bentley (Doncaster), Kiveton Park, Louth, Lincoln, Keelby, North Scarle, Dunstable, Long Compton, Broad Hinton, Calne, Bristol, Lacock, Pill, Yatton, Amesbury, Ludgershall (Wiltshire), Tidworth, Weymouth, Ammanford, St Ishmael’s, Haverfordwest, Llantho.
Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Manager, James Lilley, explained the change, saying: “We’re moving to a digital world and Openreach is helping with that transformation by rolling out ultrafast, ultra-reliable, and future-proofed digital Full Fibre across the UK.”
He added: “This game changing technology will become the backbone of our economy for decades to come, supporting every aspect of our public services, businesses, industries, and daily lives.
“Already, our Full Fibre network is available to 18 million homes and businesses, with 6.5 million premises currently taking a service.
“The stop sell programme is a critical part of ensuring that the UK’s communication infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of the future.”