UK Landline Shutdown Expands to 95 New Areas – Check if Your Postcode is Affected
The UK telecommunications landscape is evolving, with a significant transition from traditional copper wires to high-speed FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) technology. This change not only enhances internet access for many homes but also modifies how calls are made.
Many regions will soon be affected by this shift as BT’s Openreach launches a “stop sell” initiative. Under this program, homes in certain areas will no longer be able to subscribe to the outdated copper services once they are largely connected to ultrafast Full Fibre.
What You Need to Know About the Landline Shutdown
This shift to digital communication means that users will transition to Digital Voice. This system utilizes an internet connection for calls rather than the older copper lines. Although millions have already switched, new locations are being added to the stop sell list.
Identifying Affected Areas
Openreach has identified the next round of locations for the stop sell alert, triggered when 75% of premises connected to an exchange are capable of receiving Full Fibre services. Existing users will not be affected, but new customers or those hoping to change their service in these areas will need to move to the new digital offerings.
- Groeslon
- Pentraeth
- Botwnnog
- Horley
- Colwyn Bay
- Other significant areas include:
- Sevenoaks
- Trowbridge
- Felixstowe
- Blackburn
- Ipswich
Benefits of Switching to Digital Voice
Transitioning to Full Fibre can lead to various advantages. Improved call quality is a significant enhancement, alongside features like spam call blocking and call diverts to mobile phones. Customers still on copper can retain their services until Full Fibre becomes available in their areas.
Current Reach of Full Fibre Services
Openreach reports reaching around 20 million premises, accounting for 60% of the UK’s population, with over 7.7 million utilizing these services. This expansion is essential as the reliance on copper diminishes.
To check for available services in your location, you can use the Openreach postcode checker for the latest updates on both broadband and phone service availability.
Overall, this transition marks a crucial step in modernizing the UK’s communication infrastructure and ensuring its capacity to meet future demands.
