The next batch of areas losing access to older copper cables has just been confirmed, with 1.2million homes affected.
UK landline switch off(Image: GETTY)
The UK’s move away from outdated copper phone and broadband lines to faster and more reliable full fibre technology continues to pick up pace. Over the past year, millions have switched over to this improved connectivity, and now even more households will soon be forced away from copper cables.
It’s just been confirmed by BT’s Openreach that 1.2 million properties will be affected by the so-called “Stop Sell” alerts, with 132 new locations being added to the end-of-life list.
For those unaware, once Stop Sell has been announced at a phone exchange, it prevents internet service providers that rely on Openreach’s network – including BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone – from selling traditional copper-based phone and broadband services in areas where full fibre is available.
As a result, anyone taking out a new contract, or renewing an existing one, will be required to switch to fibre broadband. This also affects traditional landlines, which are slowly being phased out, with customers moved to Digital Voice instead. This service makes calls over an internet connection rather than the ageing wires still seen dangling above many streets.
While some older and vulnerable customers have raised concerns about the switch, Digital Voice offers clearer call quality and additional features such as spam call blocking and call diversion to mobile phones.
Openreach has stressed that customers who cannot yet access full fibre will not be affected. They will be able to remain on their existing copper-based services until fibre becomes available in their area.
Commenting on the update, James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, said:
“Our stop sell programme is a vital step in accelerating the UK’s transition to a modern full fibre future. As copper’s ability to support modern communications declines, our immediate focus is getting people onto newer, future-proof technologies.”
“By retiring legacy copper services where fibre is widely available, we’re helping customers and providers move to faster, more reliable digital infrastructure. This also reduces the cost and complexity of running two networks and supports the industry-wide shift ahead of the complete shutdown of the old PSTN phone network, now just over 12 months away.”
To check what services are available at your address, you can use the Openreach postcode checker to see whether full fibre has been rolled out in your area.
Below is the full list of locations newly affected by Stop Sell alerts:
York (Acomb) • Rawmarsh • Kirkby In Ashfield • Seaham • Irvine (Stanecastle) • Breaston (Draycott) • Nottingham (Chalfont Drive) • Greater Manchester – Rochdale (Middleton) • Ryton • East Leak
Didcot • Edwinstowe • Blackpool (North Shore) • Birmingham (Selly Oak) • Shrewsbury (Harlescott) • Bristol (Avonmouth) • Greater London – Hillingdon (Ruislip) • Greater Manchester – Rochdale (Littleborough) • Liverpool (Larklane) • Stockton-on-Tees (Norton (XNB))
• Greater London – Ealing (Greenford) • Rowley Regis (Blackheath) • Wombwell • Cliffe • Barnsley (Darton) • Mountsorrel (Rothley) • Greater London – Wandsworth (South Clapham) • York (Dringhouses) • Slamannan • East Calder (Midcalder) • Greater Manchester – Bolton (Daubhill) • Sunderland • Gateshead (Dunston) • Sunderland (Ryhope) • Royston
Larkhall • Wishaw • Edinburgh (Liberton) • Gloucester (Hardwicke) • Greater London – Enfield (Edmonton) • Luton • Greater London – Lambeth (Streatham) • Leatherhead (Bookham) • Plymouth • Weston-Super-Mare (BANWELL) • Alveley (QUATT) • Crowen • Lianilar • Chatburn • Blackburn (Mellor) • Belmont • Tyrone (Benburb) • Henham • New Luce • Kirtleton (Waterbeck) • Garvald • Stobo • Lapford • Newton Mearns (Loganswell) • Tarskavaig • Dunure •
Foxton (East Langton ) • Carrog (Glyndwr) • Tow House (Bardon Mill) • Grantham (Corby Glen) • Scarinish • Pontyates • Llandysul • Waungilwen (Velindre) • Jameston (Manorbier) • Leek (Rudyard) • Llanilar • Baslow • Sageston (Carew)• Beckingham (Saundby) • Barlestone (Market Bosworth) • Harbury • Kibworth Harcourt • Stoney Stanton (Sapcote) • Thrapston
Wardington (Cropredy) • Wellesbourne • Broughton Astley (Sutton Elms) • Grantham • Bury St Edmunds • Hunstanton •Rayleigh • Heath and Reach • Watton at Stone • Rackheath (Salhouse) • Castor • Greater London – Havering (Romford South) • Bognor Regis (Middleton On Sea) • Bishop Auckland • Sharlston • Annfield Plain • Clayton West • Hadston (Red Row)
East Ayton • Millom • Rowlands Gill • Shap • Scarborough (Cayton Bay) • Spennymoor • Southport • Todmorden • Whitehaven • Aboyne • Dumfries • Airth • Doune • Burghead (Hopeman) • Helensburgh • Hullavington • Havant • Mount Hawke (Porthtowan) • South Zeal (Sticklepath) • Goldsithney (Germoe) • Street • Burnham-on-Sea (Brean Down) • Llansteffan • Fairford • Rossett • Trearddur • Moelfre • Pontycymer • Pyle (Kenfig Hill) • Leominster • Biddulph (Biddulph) • Burton upon Trent