James Lilley, director for managed customer migrations, Openreach said, “Twelve months ago, we informed our Communication Provider customers that we would stop selling copper products in exchanges that reach 75 per cent full fibre coverage. This is now a reality for 181 fibre exchanges covering around 2m premises across the UK in what is a major stepping-stone in our 10 to 15 year journey to move from a copper network to full fibre.
“Just over two years from now, Openreach will stop selling products that rely on the PSTN. And over the next four years, we’ll upgrade some 13 million analogue lines – including the now ageing traditional landline telephone service – to digital all-internet protocol. As part of this huge transformation programme, we’ve been preparing to withdraw older analogue products in two trial areas – Salisbury and Mildenhall – and we’re now notifying communications providers that these products will be withdrawn in Spring 2023.
“We’re working closely with broadband providers and the wider industry to make sure customers can be upgraded smoothly and these trials are helping us to identify and address any issues that might prevent that.”
Openreach’s ‘stop sell’ policy is now active across 181 of these fibre exchanges covering approximately 2 million premises. The company will announce additional stop sell exchanges every quarter as it continue to upgrade its networks.
The full list of 86 additional exchanges is below. In these areas, Openreach has provided 15-months’ notice. The notice period will begin on 19 January 2022 with product withdrawal on 19 April 2023.
