BT-owned Openreach is set to switch off copper-based landlines in 94 locations across the UK, part of the nationwide transition to full-fibre broadband. This move will impact around 960,000 homes and businesses, marking a major step in replacing the legacy copper network, which has been in use since the 1800s.
Why Are Landlines Being Phased Out?
The landline switch-off is part of the UK government’s ambitious plan to retire old copper infrastructure and deliver faster, more reliable fibre broadband. Under Openreach’s “stop sell” programme, these 94 areas will gradually move away from traditional landline and copper broadband services over the next 12 months. Customers in affected areas will need to switch to a broadband-powered telephone service using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), the same technology used by apps like WhatsApp, Skype and Messenger.
The nationwide full-fibre rollout was initially scheduled for 2025 but has now been extended to January 2027.
How the Full-fibre Upgrade Will Affect Customers
The copper network will be fully decommissioned once around three-quarters of properties in each exchange area have upgraded to full-fibre connections. Fibre broadband provides multiple benefits, including better call quality, the ability to contact multiple people at once, call recording, number blocking and protection from incoming spam calls. However, unlike conventional landlines, VoIP services require a power source to function during outages.
Preparing For the Future
The BT landline switch-off programme is designed to future-proof the UK’s communication network. Operating both the old copper network and the new fibre network at the same time is no longer practical, and moving customers to fibre ensures the country’s broadband and telephone services can meet growing digital demands. As copper infrastructure continues to decline, the focus remains on migrating homes and businesses to faster, more reliable fibre technology.
Full List of 94 Exchange Names and Locations to be Affected by UK Landline Switch-off
England
Norwood Hill, Horley
Dawes Green, Reigate
Friskney, Friskney
Passfield, Liphook
Ide Hill, Sevenoaks
Trowbridge, Trowbridge
North, Liverpool
Great Yarmouth
St Neots
Elstree, Borehamwood
Tunbridge Wells, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Chippenham, Chippenham (Wiltshire)
Felixstowe
Forest Hill, Lewisham, Greater London
Ware
Coggeshall
Albrighton
Arkwright, Nottingham
Aston Common, Swallownest
Barnsley, Barnsley
Beeston, Beeston (Broxtowe)
Blackburn
Blackpool
Bolsover
Broughton, Fulwood
Didsbury, Greater Manchester
Dinnington (Rotherham)
Elland
Erdington, Birmingham
Fulwood
Holmewood, North Wingfield
Kegworth
Keighley
Merstham, Redhill (Surrey)
New Malden, Kingston upon Thames
Pleasley, Mansfield
Portsmouth North, Portsmouth
Priory, Birmingham
Bayford, Hertford
Cheriton Fitzpaine, Cheriton Fitzpaine
Pickmere, Higher Wincham
Chester Central, Chester
Kelsall
Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent
Workington
Ferryhill
Keyingham, Thorngumbald
Adlington
Selsey
Nonington, Aylesham
Dartford, Bexley, Greater London
Higham
Shotley, Ipswich
Burwell
Eye (City of Peterborough)
Chatteris
Sawtry
Dersingham
Spalding
Queensbury, Bradford
Rainham, Havering, Greater London
Rossington, New Rossington
Rusholme, Greater Manchester
Shifnal
South Benfleet, Rayleigh
Thrybergh, Rotherham
Tilbury
Tilton, Tilton on the Hill
Walsall
Wales
Llanwnda, Groeslon
Pentraeth, Pentraeth
Botwnnog, Botwnnog
Tynygroes, Colwyn Bay
Llanpumsaint
Cemmaes Road, Cemmaes
Penarth
Abergynolwyn, Twywn
Gower, Reynoldston
Newport Chartist, Newport
Bethesda
Abercynon
Scotland
Stronsay, Dishes, Orkney Islands
Humbie,
Dunphail, Forres
Bentpath
Carluke
Caldercruix, Plains
Cambuslang
Provanmill, Glasgow
Springburn, Glasgow
Winchburgh
Northern Ireland
Bready, Tyrone
Newtownstewart, Tyrone
