Most households in the UK are now aware that the country is gradually phasing out its old copper phone and broadband networks in favor of a fully digital future. This transition aims to enhance speed and reliability while replacing outdated wires. BT’s Openreach platform, responsible for telecom infrastructure nationwide, has implemented a nationwide “stop sell” policy. This move requires providers like BT, Sky, Plusnet, and TalkTalk to discontinue legacy copper-based contracts and transition customers to full-fiber broadband and Digital Voice services.
After the announcement of a “stop sell,” there is a specific period before non-fiber connections are deactivated, indicating a serious commitment to the transition. The first UK exchange, Deddington in Oxfordshire, has now been officially shut down, ceasing phone and other services to homes in the area.
Former customers of the Deddington exchange can now only access the internet and make phone calls using FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) technology. Deddington is the initial of three pilot exchanges to close, with Ballyclare in Northern Ireland and Kenton Road in London to follow by the end of November. This marks the beginning of Openreach’s plan to retire approximately 4,600 copper-based exchanges nationwide as customers shift to fiber-only services.
The shift is driven by the superior speed and reliability of fiber networks, which are often more than ten times faster than copper. Digital Voice users benefit from clearer calls and advanced features like call filtering. Moreover, fiber infrastructure is more efficient, utilizing lightweight cables and software-based switches instead of bulky hardware used in copper systems.
Under the new system, Openreach will operate just 1,000 modern “super digital exchanges,” known as Openreach Handover Points (OHPs), to serve the entire UK. In Deddington, around 1,800 copper lines have been upgraded to full fiber, managed from the nearby Banbury OHP.
James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, emphasized the significant effort involved in transitioning millions of services. The success of Deddington demonstrates the company’s ability to retire old infrastructure efficiently and safely.
Lilley highlighted that the digital transition will bring benefits for both providers and consumers. Providers will reduce costs through network consolidation, while consumers will enjoy faster, more reliable fiber connections that are scalable for the future. He emphasized that the goal is not just to replace old equipment but to establish a future-proof, streamlined network for the UK.
Deddington is the first of many exchanges to close, with locations like Wraysbury, Childwall, Glengormley, and Staines next in line for the transition.