The transition in the UK from outdated copper phone and broadband lines to modern full fibre technology is gaining momentum. Millions have already made the switch to this enhanced connectivity in the past year, and more households are set to transition from copper cables soon.
BT’s Openreach has confirmed that 1.2 million properties will be impacted by the “Stop Sell” alerts, with 132 new locations now included in the list of areas affected by this transition.
When a phone exchange implements Stop Sell, internet service providers like BT, Sky, TalkTalk, and Vodafone are prohibited from offering traditional copper-based phone and broadband services in regions where full fibre is accessible.
This change means that new contracts or renewals will require switching to fibre broadband. It also involves the gradual phasing out of traditional landlines, with customers being shifted to Digital Voice services that utilize internet connections for calls.
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 assures that customers without access to full fibre will not be affected and can continue using their current copper-based services until fibre infrastructure is available in their area.
James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, emphasized the importance of the stop sell initiative in advancing the UK towards a modern full fibre future. By retiring legacy copper services in fibre-available areas, the transition to faster and more reliable digital infrastructure is facilitated, reducing operational costs and supporting the industry-wide shift away from the old PSTN phone network.
To check service availability in your area, you can use the Openreach postcode checker to determine if full fibre has been deployed in your location.
Here is the updated list of new locations impacted by the Stop Sell alerts:
– York (Acomb)
– Rawmarsh
– Kirkby In Ashfield
– Seaham
– Irvine (Stanecastle)
– Breaston (Draycott)
– Nottingham (Chalfont Drive)
– Greater Manchester – Rochdale (Middleton)
– Ryton
– East Leak
– And more locations listed in subsequent paragraphs.
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