Openreach has announced the next 84 locations where the ageing copper landline network will be phased out, affecting over 880,000 premises across the UK. The 'Stop Sell' will be triggered over the next 12 months, meaning new customers will only be able to order digital services via Full Fibre connections.
The switch-off applies to areas where at least 75% of premises can access ultrafast Full Fibre to the Premises (FTTP). Existing customers on copper lines can stay until Full Fibre becomes available, but those switching or upgrading must take a digital service. Voice calls will move to Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), offering features like three-way calling and call diversion.
Affected locations include Aberdeen, Cardiff, Glasgow, Leicester, Luton, Sheffield, and many others across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Major ISPs like Sky, Vodafone, Plusnet, and TalkTalk will use Openreach's fibre network.
James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Manager, said: '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 that keeping both copper and fibre networks running side-by-side is not operationally or commercially sensible.
