The UK is moving to a digital future with more homes losing their old copper landlines. Check your postcode now.
The trusted old landline is slowly being replaced, with homes being switched over to more modern digital calling. This uses the internet instead to help people keep in touch rather than those wires that dangle above UK streets.
Millions have already made the jump to this broadband technology, and it’s just been confirmed that 137 extra locations are now moving away from ageing copper cables as well.
The update has just been announced by BT’s Openreach service, and it means millions of homes will soon be forced to use digital voice when taking out a new broadband plan or switching providers.
This so-called “Stop Sell” alert is issued to Internet Service Providers as soon as the majority of homes near a broadband exchange can access ultrafast Full Fibre connectivity.
Once “Stop Sell” comes into force, customers who then want to switch, upgrade or re-grade their broadband or phone service will have to take a new digital service over broadband.
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Homes that don’t yet have Full Fibre in their roads will be able to stay on copper until fibre cables arive in their street.
HERE IS THE FULL LIST OF NEW LOCATIONS BEING SWITCHED
Glarryford • • Aghadowey • Pomeroy • Clogher • Fintona • Dromore/Tyrone • Drumquin • Ashby De La Zouch
Freeland • Adderbury • Broomfield • Woodham Ferrers • Framingham • Newhaven • Sacriston • Hoghton • Penrith
Dalston • New Brancepeth • Annbank • Newton Stewart •Ballingry • Lockerbie • Chudleigh • Milford Haven • Bala
Llandrindod Wells • Stourport • Fernhill Heath • Kessingland • Teversham • Silsoe • Saint Faith • Great Dunmow
Girton • Dymchurch • Shildon • Whitley Bridge • Whaley Bridge • Pencaitland • Durrington • Romsey • Plymstock
Midsomer Norton • Forden • Alsager • Haslington • Dyserth • Sandbach • Stonehouse • Hengoed • Amlwch • Pershore
Menai Bridge • Llandovery • Manningtree • Dickleburgh • Chestfield • South Milford • Dolgellau • Avebury
Lockeridge • Newton Tracey • Ogbourne St.George • Sandon • Llanbedrog • Llanfrynach • Eskdalemuir • Long Bredy
Berriedale • Sanday • Llandyrnog • Dolwen • Dolgarrog • Chapelton • Pennyghael • Ulva Ferry • Buckland St Mary
Bishopswood • Hawick • Tottington • Eastwood • Purfleet • Locks Heath • Hook • Felling • Southbourne • St Austell
Stubbington • Lynemouth • Starcross • Loughborough • Easton • Wolverhampton • Ashford • Uxbridge • Woodford • Smallbrook
Wood St • Aylesbury • Ingleby Barwick • Leytonstone • Stockton • Sutton In Ashfield • Washington • Worle • Darlington
Holmfirth • Bedford • Goscote • Bishops Cleeve • Wolviston • Armthorpe • Barnwood • Desborough • Coppull • Trentham
Sale • Hexton • Appley Bridge • Manningham •ª Stoke City • Warsop
So why are we being pushed over to Digital Voice?
This new technology should improve calling for customers. Those who switch will get features not found on older copper landline services, such as Multi Call, three-way calling for conference calls, and call diversion to any other phone number, including mobile phones.
Another boost is better call quality when using Digital Voice, though you’ll need a compatible Digital Home phone to take advantage.
BT says this update is “critical” to meet the demands of the future and it’s not something any of us will be able to ignore. There have been some concerns raised about older and vulnerable people who might not have broadband. Some have also been worried about broadband outages as this will also mean the phone stops working. All of these worries are currently being monitored by telecoms companies and by Ofcom.
“We continue to monitor the situation closely, including attending regular meetings dedicated to this issue with industry. We won’t hesitate to launch enforcement action against any provider that fails to fulfil their obligations to customers,” Ofcom confirmed.
Speaking about the latest changes and new 137 locations, James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Manager, said: “The stop sell programme is a critical part of ensuring that the UK’s communication infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of the future.
“Taking advantage of the progress of our Full Fibre build and encouraging people to upgrade where a majority can access our new network is the right thing to do as it makes no sense, both operationally and commercially, to keep the old copper network and our new fibre network running side-by-side. As copper’s ability to support modern communications declines, the immediate focus is getting people onto newer, future proofed technologies.
“We’re moving to a digital world and Openreach is helping with that transformation by rolling out ultrafast, ultra-reliable, and future-proofed digital Full Fibre across the UK.”