Most households in the UK are now aware of the ongoing transition from traditional copper phone and broadband networks to a fully digital infrastructure. This shift aims to improve speed and reliability while eliminating outdated wiring. BT’s Openreach, a key telecom infrastructure provider, has implemented nationwide “stop sell” measures, requiring companies like BT, Sky, Plusnet, and TalkTalk to phase out legacy copper contracts in favor of full-fibre broadband and Digital Voice services.
Following the announcement of a “stop sell,” a specific period elapses before non-fibre connections are deactivated, emphasizing the seriousness of the transition. The first exchange in the UK, located in Deddington, Oxfordshire, has been officially decommissioned, ceasing the provision of traditional phone and other services to residences.
Former customers of the Deddington exchange must now rely on FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) technology for internet access and phone services. Deddington is the initial exchange to close, with two more pilot exchanges in Ballyclare, Northern Ireland, and Kenton Road, London, scheduled for closure by November’s end. This marks the commencement of Openreach’s plan to retire approximately 4,600 copper-based exchanges nationwide in favor of fibre-only services.
The transition to fibre networks offers significantly faster speeds and greater reliability than traditional copper systems, with Digital Voice users benefiting from clearer calls and enhanced features. Fibre infrastructure is also more space-efficient, utilizing lightweight cables and software-based switches instead of bulky hardware. Openreach plans to operate just 1,000 modern “super digital exchanges,” known as Openreach Handover Points (OHPs), across the UK.
In Deddington, around 1,800 copper lines have already been upgraded to full fibre services, managed from the nearby Banbury OHP. James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, highlighted the scale of the project involving millions of service migrations. He emphasized that Deddington’s success demonstrates the company’s ability to retire old infrastructure efficiently and safely.
Lilley stressed that the digital transition will bring benefits to both providers and consumers, reducing costs through network consolidation and providing consumers with faster, more reliable fibre connections for years to come. The closure of Deddington is just the beginning, with other areas such as Wraysbury, Childwall, Glengormley, and Staines lined up for future closures.