Many households in the UK are now familiar with the ongoing transition from traditional copper phone and broadband networks to a more advanced digital infrastructure. This nationwide shift aims to enhance speed and reliability while phasing out outdated wiring that is over a century old. BT’s Openreach, a key provider of telecoms infrastructure in the UK, has implemented a nationwide “stop sell” policy, requiring companies like BT, Sky, Plusnet, and TalkTalk to terminate legacy copper contracts and transition customers to full-fibre broadband and Digital Voice services.
Following the announcement of a “stop sell,” a specific timeframe is provided before non-fibre connections are discontinued, indicating a serious commitment to the transition.
The first UK exchange to undergo this transformation is Deddington in Oxfordshire, which has officially ceased its copper-based services and now exclusively offers internet and phone services through FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) technology.
Deddington is the initial exchange to close, with Ballyclare in Northern Ireland and Kenton Road in London scheduled for closure by the end of November, marking the beginning of Openreach’s plan to retire approximately 4,600 copper-based exchanges nationwide as customers migrate to fibre-only services.
The shift to fibre networks offers significantly faster and more reliable speeds, often exceeding copper speeds by more than tenfold. Digital Voice users benefit from clearer calls and advanced features such as call filtering. Additionally, fibre infrastructure requires less space, utilizing lightweight cables and software-based switches instead of the bulky hardware associated with copper systems.
Under the new arrangement, Openreach will operate around 1,000 modern “super digital exchanges,” known as Openreach Handover Points (OHPs), to serve the entire UK, streamlining the network.
In Deddington, approximately 1,800 copper lines have been upgraded to full fibre, with services managed from the nearby Banbury OHP.
James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, emphasized the complexity of migrating millions of services and highlighted Deddington as a successful example of retiring outdated infrastructure efficiently and safely.
Lilley emphasized that the digital transition will bring benefits to both providers and consumers, with cost savings for providers through network consolidation and improved fibre connections for consumers that can adapt to future needs.
“It’s not just about switching off old kit—it’s about building a future-proof, simpler network for the UK,” said Lilley.
While Deddington leads the way, other exchanges like Wraysbury, Childwall, Glengormley, and Staines are next in line for closure as part of the ongoing transition.
THE FOLLOWING 12 EXCHANGES WILL BE CLOSED NEXT:
• Staines
• Thames Ditton
• Baynard
• Wraysbury
• Nazeing
• Langford
• Allestree Park
• Beacon
• Childwall
• Lundin Links
• Carrickfergus
• Glengormley