BT forges ahead with UK landline switch-off as 94 new locations revealed — is your address on the list?

BT, Virgin Media, and TalkTalk refer to this internet-powered landline as “Digital Voice”, but depending on your provider, they might use a different term.

Under current plans, the vast majority of the UK will be making phone calls using this technology by the end of January 2027, after the original deadline was pushed back.

If you’ve recently upgraded to a full-fibre broadband plan with BT or any other internet supplier, your landline already uses the latest Voice Over IP (VoIP) technology. As such, there’s no need to worry about the forthcoming deadline.

Is your local area included in the latest batch of upgrades?

Major areas like Blackpool, Portsmouth, Chester and Trowbridge are all getting the copper switch-off treatment. Birmingham residents in Erdington and Priory will need to make the change too.

It's not just big cities either. Smaller communities from Selsey in West Sussex to Carluke in Scotland are included. Even remote spots like Stronsay in Orkney and Botwnnog in Wales are making the digital leap.

10 facts about the UK landline switch-off

1. It's not just BT — all UK telecom firms are moving away from analogue landlines
2. New system relies on VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) system to make calls
3. VoIP used by apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Messenger to make audio calls
4. Some companies use "Digital Voice" brand for VoIP, while others call it something else
5. Your landline number should never be changed during the switchover
6. The traditional copper landline network will stop working in early 2017
7. Existing broadband customers won't be charged extra after the switch
8. Traditional landlines continue to work during a power cut as they draw power from the exchange
9. However, VoIP systems will not work during outages without a backup power bank
10. Some personal safety alarms do not work with Digital Voice phones

Openreach Managed Customer Migrations Director, James Lilley 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."

If you're wondering how this all works, it happens when three-quarters of properties connected to your local exchange can get ultrafast full fibre. That's when Openreach triggers the so-called "stop sell" rule.

Don't panic if you can't get full fibre at your property yet though.

You can stay on your existing copper service until the new network reaches you. It's only when you want to switch providers, upgrade your package or change your service that you'll need to move to the digital alternative.

The change affects services from all the major providers including BT, Sky, TalkTalk, and Vodafone. These brands all rely on the nationwide network of cables installed and maintained by Openreach.

This brings the total number of exchanges under "stop sell" rules to 1,041 across the UK. That means 8.9 million properties are now in areas where you can't buy new copper services if full fibre is available to most homes.

It's all part of the bigger picture: Openreach's full fibre network now reaches 20 million properties, which is about 60% of the UK. More than 7.7 million homes and businesses have already made the switch.

You can check if full fibre is available at your address using Openreach's online postcode checker or by contacting your service provider.

Mr Lilley added: "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. This game-changing technology will become the backbone of our economy for decades to come, supporting every aspect of our public services, businesses, industries, and daily lives."

Plans for a UK-wide landline switch-off were first confirmed back in late 2017 by the telecom industry itself — somewhat uniquely, this is not a Government scheme or deadline.

Industry figures said they struggled to source the correct parts to maintain and repair analogue phone lines as few companies still produce parts for this century-old telephone system. A number of other countries across mainland Europe are undergoing similar upgrades at the moment because of similar struggles.

Here's the complete list of all 94 Openreach Exchanges to be notified for Stop Sell: