The traditional copper landlines that have served UK homes for decades are being phased out, with a nationwide switch to Digital Voice services set for January 2027. This marks the end of the old copper-wire phone network, and homes will soon rely on broadband for calls.
Stop Sell Programme Expands
To accelerate the transition, BT's Openreach network is expanding its Stop Sell programme. Under these rules, providers such as BT, Sky, Plusnet, and TalkTalk can no longer offer new copper-based broadband and phone services in affected areas. Openreach has confirmed a further expansion affecting 238 exchange locations and approximately 1.69 million premises.
Once these changes take effect, customers upgrading, switching, or taking out new services will need to move to full fibre broadband and digital phone services. Openreach explained: "Stop Sell is triggered when a majority (75%) of premises connected to a particular exchange can access ultrafast Full Fibre. Customers wanting to switch, upgrade or re-grade their broadband or phone service will then need to take a new digital service over our Full Fibre network."
By early June, Stop Sell rules will be active across 1,432 exchanges nationwide, impacting around 14.2 million properties.
Industry Perspective
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 moving people onto newer, future-proof technologies. By phasing out legacy copper-based services in areas where fibre is widely available, we’re helping customers and providers migrate to faster, more reliable digital infrastructure. This also reduces the cost and complexity of maintaining both old and new networks ahead of the nationwide shutdown of the legacy copper-based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which is now less than eight months away."
Full List of New Locations
The following areas are included in the latest Stop Sell expansion:
- Farnsfield, Quor, Sileby, Tibshelf, Layton, Hetton Le Hole, Marton, Pinxton, Spofforth, Cudworth, New Ollerton, Rottingdean, Castle Donington, Blidworth, North Carlton, Jarrow Bilsthorpe, Illingworth, Strensall, Harefield, Cosham, Donnington, Ramsbottom, Shettleston, Brediland, Filton, Dudley, Cheetham, Dinsdale, Garston, New Oakley, Bingley, Maltby, Upton Park, Markyate, Potters Bar, Churchdown, Pollok, Shawbury, Polmont
- Brierley Hill, Epping, Cowley, Wembley, Strood, Scotstoun, Dunfermline, Headington, Halifax, Parsons Green, Haworth, Darwen, Radcliffe On Trent, Cuckoo Oak, Newton Mearns, Farnworth, East Herrington, Earl Shilton, Atherstone, Winterbourne, Braunstone, Kenilworth, Collyhurst, Wigton, Jedburgh, Wester Hailes, Langside, Godalming, Norwich City
- Aberdeen Kingswells, Welwyn, Hurley, Wareham, Maryport, Cleator Moor, Mold West, Braintree, Ridgewell, Saint Osyth, Moreton Morrell (MXL) Lighthorne, Slade Green, Gravesend, Repton, Castle Douglas, Annan, Lanchester, Cockfield, Rushyford, Epworth, Finningley, Ranskill, Keadby, Bewdley, North Berwick, Walkerburn, Drymen Killearn, Falfield, Coleford, Bredon, Alton, Southwold, Mauchline, Lochgelly, Kirkby, Kirkby Lonsdale, Oakham, Narborough, Wrexham North, Ruthin (RGH), Tynygongl, Stow, Barwick In Elmet, Bearsted, Woburn Sands, Great Barford, Forth, Tinto, Burnopfield
- Ebchester, Bedlington, Dudley (DYE), Corbridge, Tuxford, West Haddon, Bozeat, Machen, Swanton Morley, Martham, Terrington St John, Warboys, St. Michaels, Burghfield Common, Stocksbridge, Bishopston, Glantawe, Crynant, Pencader, Pembroke, Knebworth, Wilmslow
- Chapel En Le Frith, Corsham, Borth, Henlade, Hawick, Heathfield, Castleham, Camborne Wychbold (WYG), Whitby, Needham, Watton Dummy, Holme On Spalding Moor, Holbrook, Hightown Caerleon, Cockermouth, Hebden Bridge, Otham (OTM), Gourock (GHU), Folkestone, Harrington, Pentyrch, Ferndale, Scartho, Birchwood, Corby, Bloxham, Clydach, Keswick, Nelson, Measham, Ambleside, Cinderford, Treharris, Llanfairfechan, Amble, Mundesley, Broseley, Flookburgh, Brackley, Penclawdd, Hassocks, Braithwaite, Cardigan, Tenbury Wells, Waltham, Hexham Swanage, Washingborough, Norwich West, Tiptree, Leabrooks, Belper, Welwyn Garden, Mablethorpe, Heckington, Stottesdon, Penybont, Machrie, Pilling, Trefeglwys, Tummelbridge, Capel, Cotheridge, Hanmer, Bratton Clovelly, Temple, Auchengray, Kilcreggan, Pilning, Menmuir (MUR), Auchenmalg, Buchlyvie, Aberfoyle, Arden, Canon Pyon, Back, Dalchreichart, Craigie, Crosshill, Latheron, Llanfairtalhaiarn, Great Whittington, Hartburn, Penhow, Nantyderry, Madderty, Cairngorm, Plaistow, Dormans Park, Llangennith, Cynghordy, Hilderstone, Cressage, Cleehillstone, Dunscore
