The era of traditional copper landlines hanging above UK streets is coming to an end, as the nationwide transition to “Digital Voice” services is scheduled to be completed by January 2027. This shift signifies the phasing out of the old copper-wire phone network, with households transitioning to making calls through their broadband connections.
This significant change in UK communications is being facilitated by BT’s Openreach network through its ongoing “Stop Sell” initiative. Under this program, major providers like BT, Sky, Plusnet, and TalkTalk are no longer permitted to offer new copper-based broadband and phone services in affected areas.
The implementation of Stop Sell notifications has been progressively expanded across various regions in the UK in recent years. Openreach has now confirmed a further extension impacting 238 exchange locations and approximately 1.69 million premises.
Following these adjustments, customers seeking to upgrade, switch, or acquire new services will be required to shift to full fibre broadband and digital phone services instead of relying on the outdated copper network. Openreach emphasized that the Stop Sell policy is triggered when a majority of premises connected to a specific exchange have access to ultrafast Full Fibre services.
By early June, Stop Sell regulations will be in effect across 1,432 exchanges nationwide, affecting around 14.2 million properties. James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, emphasized the importance of the Stop Sell program in expediting the UK’s transition to a modern full fibre infrastructure. The move aims to shift consumers to more advanced, future-proof technologies and reduce the complexity and costs associated with maintaining both old and new networks ahead of the complete shutdown of the legacy copper-based Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) within the next eight months.
Digital Voice, BT’s cutting-edge home phone service, leverages broadband connectivity to offer modern features like Multi Call, three-way calling, and call diversion to any phone number, including mobile devices. The service promises enhanced call quality, though users must have a compatible Digital Home phone to utilize these features seamlessly.
Transitioning to Digital Voice should have minimal impact on most households’ phone usage, as the cost of the new service is bundled with broadband charges in a single package. There are no additional fees for accessing Digital Voice services, ensuring a seamless and cost-effective communication experience for consumers.