The transition in the UK from outdated copper phone and broadband lines to faster and more reliable full fibre technology is gaining momentum. Millions have already made the switch to improved connectivity, and more households are set to move away from copper cables.

BT’s Openreach has announced that 1.2 million properties will be impacted by the “Stop Sell” alerts, with an additional 132 locations added to the end-of-life list. This alert restricts internet service providers, including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, and Vodafone, from offering traditional copper-based phone and broadband services in areas where full fibre is accessible.

New contracts or renewals will now require a switch to fibre broadband, including the transition from traditional landlines to Digital Voice. This digital service enables calls over an internet connection, replacing the aging copper wires in many areas.

Despite concerns raised by some older and vulnerable customers, Digital Voice offers improved call quality and features like spam call blocking and call diversion to mobile phones. Openreach reassures customers without full fibre access that they can stay on their current copper-based services until fibre becomes available.

James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, emphasized the importance of the stop sell program in advancing the UK towards a modern full fibre future. By phasing out legacy copper services where full fibre is prevalent, the shift to faster and more reliable digital infrastructure is facilitated, reducing operational costs and supporting the industry-wide transition ahead of the complete shutdown of the old PSTN phone network.

To check service availability in your area, use the Openreach postcode checker. The list of locations newly affected by Stop Sell alerts includes various cities and towns across the UK.

At Reach and our affiliated entities, we use cookies and other identifiers to enhance site experience, analyze usage, and provide personalized advertising. You can opt out of data sharing by clicking the respective button on our webpage. Your use of our website signifies acceptance of cookie usage and consent to our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.