The era of traditional copper landlines hanging above UK streets is coming to a close, as the country gears up for a full transition to “Digital Voice” services by January 2027. This shift signifies the end of the outdated copper-wire phone network, with households expected to switch to making calls through their broadband connections.
This move marks one of the most significant transformations in UK communications in years. To expedite the shift away from aging infrastructure, BT’s Openreach network is actively implementing its “Stop Sell” initiative. This program prohibits providers like BT, Sky, Plusnet, and TalkTalk from offering new copper-based broadband and phone services in affected regions.
The Stop Sell notifications have already been rolled out in various parts of the UK, and Openreach has announced a further expansion affecting 238 exchange locations and approximately 1.69 million premises. Following this update, customers seeking upgrades or new services will be required to transition to full fibre broadband and digital phone services instead of relying on the legacy copper network.
Openreach clarified that the Stop Sell implementation is triggered when 75% of premises connected to a specific exchange have access to ultrafast Full Fibre. This necessitates customers to opt for a new digital service over the Full Fibre network when switching or upgrading their broadband or phone services.
By early June, the Stop Sell rules will be enforced across 1,432 exchanges nationwide, impacting around 14.2 million properties. James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, emphasized the importance of the Stop Sell program in accelerating the country’s shift towards a modern full fibre future. As copper technology becomes less capable of supporting advanced communications, the focus is on transitioning people to more advanced, future-proof technologies.
The phasing out of legacy copper-based services in areas with widespread fibre availability aims to facilitate a smoother migration to faster and more reliable digital infrastructure. This transition also streamlines the cost and complexity of maintaining both old and new networks in preparation for the upcoming nationwide shutdown of the legacy copper-based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) in less than eight months.
Digital Voice, BT’s advanced home phone service, leverages broadband technology to provide modern features like Multi Call, three-way calling for conference calls, and call diversion to any number, including mobile phones. The service promises improved call quality, although users will need a compatible Digital Home phone to enjoy these benefits. Upgrading to Digital Voice should not significantly impact how households use their phones, as the cost of the service is typically bundled with broadband in a single package without any additional fees.
For those interested in quick access to valued news, selecting Daily Mirror as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News is recommended.