Openreach, the company behind the UK's largest broadband network, has issued 'stop sell' notices at another 112 telephone exchanges as part of the nationwide switch from copper landlines to digital services. The move means broadband providers using the Openreach network, including BT, Sky, Vodafone and Plusnet, can no longer sell or switch customers onto older copper-based broadband and phone services in those areas.
January 2027 deadline looms
The latest rollout comes six months before the UK's ageing copper phone network is switched off for good in January 2027. Traditional landlines will be replaced by Digital Voice, a service that uses broadband connections to make calls instead of copper wires. Homes that have not switched to Digital Voice risk losing their existing landline service.
A campaign fronted by Clare Balding, called 'Don’t Put Off the Switch', urged households to check their landlines and prepare for the change. “When your provider gets in touch, it’s vitally important you act to ensure your landline services keeps running smoothly. If you don’t respond, the services you rely on could be disrupted,” said Balding.
Total exchanges under Stop Sell reach 1,572
Openreach explained that Stop Sell is triggered when 75% of premises connected to a particular exchange can get ultrafast Full Fibre. Customers who then want to switch, upgrade or regrade their broadband or phone service must take a new digital service over the Full Fibre network. The latest notices bring the total number of exchanges under Stop Sell rules to 1,572, covering around 15.4 million homes and businesses across the UK.
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, the immediate focus is getting people onto newer, future-proof technologies. By phasing out legacy copper-based services in areas where fibre is now widely available, we're ensuring customers and providers move onto faster, more reliable digital infrastructure. This approach not only reduces the cost and complexity of maintaining both old and new networks, but also supports the industry-wide migration ahead of the switch-off of the legacy Public Switched Telephone Network, which is now just six months away. By then, everyone will need a digital phone line."
Benefits and next steps
While the move to full fibre and Digital Voice may seem daunting, it should bring faster broadband speeds, more reliable connections and a modern phone service. Anyone unsure whether their home is affected can check using the Openreach postcode checker.
List of new locations under Stop Sell
- Claverley • Worfield • Brightlingsea • Hunstanton • Mattishall • Alrewas • Breadsall • March • Melton Mowbray • Newborough • Silverstone • Thorney • Weedon • Blacklunans • Kinloch Rannoch • Loanhead • St Boswells • St Grange-Over-Sands • Halsall • Longtown • Longton • Padiham • Ribbleton • Whitworth • Catford • Skelmersdale • Northolt • Chinley • Calder Valley • Gargrave • Hipperholme • Huby • Low Moor • Melrosegate • Ripponden • Birchington • Charing • Edenbridge • Ham Street • Lydd • Sellindge • South Godstone • Blanchland • Birtley • Edmundbyers • Hylton • Piercebridge • South Shields • Ballygawley • Mountfield • Garrabost • Timsgarry • Shanklin • Silkstone • Tickhill • Aston Clinton • Flitwick • Holmer Green • Rowstock • Stroud • Wroughton • Abergavenny • Dinas Powys • Glynneath • Maesycrugiau • Newport Dyfed • Rhydlewis • Talywain • Tintern • Tonyrefail • Cwm • Caversham • Turgis Green • Reading Tilehurst • Reading • Blakedown • Himbleton • Nantwich • Shelsley Beauchamp • Stoke Trinity • Swynnerton • Aberdaron • Abersoch • Craven Arms • Cerrig-Y-Drudion • Holme Lacy • Kinnerton • Little Brampton • Barr • Dalbeattie • Dalmellington • Gartocharn • Ibrox • Kirkoswald • Langbank • Lochmaben • Millport • P.G.Newark • Strathaven • Straiton • Uplawmoor • Wemyss Bay • Black Torrington • Drewsteignton • Hayle • Helston • Lewdown • Morchard Bishop • Mary Tavy • Poundsgate • Wadebridge • Whiddon Down • Winkleigh
