BT forges ahead with UK landline switch-off as next 84 locations revealed — is your address on the list?

As the UK pushes ahead with plans to dismantle the network of copper landlines that have connected calls across the UK for the last century, BT-owned Openreach has identified the next 84 locations for the switch-off.

The 84 exchanges identified for the cut-off will impact 880,000 premises. Telecom providers will stop selling copper-based landlines and broadband services at these addresses over the next 12 months, switching to full-fibre internet. Traditional century-old landlines will be switched off when a majority (75%) of premises connected to a particular exchange enjoy the upgrade to ultrafast full-fibre.

Once upgraded, you'll need to move to a broadband-powered phone.

All of the changes coming to traditional landlines across UK, explained

These landlines use Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, technology to connect your calls. If you’ve ever made a call over Wi-Fi to friends or family using WhatsApp, Skype, or Messenger, then you’re already familiar with VoIP technology. It enables several new features, like the ability to call multiple people at the same time, better call quality, the ability to block numbers, and incoming spam prevention.

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 next year, although rumours of a delay continue to swirl.

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.

Talking about the next batch of 84 exchanges that will undergo the switch-off, Openreach Managed Customer Migrations Manager, James Lilley said: “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.

“Already, our Full Fibre network is available to close to 14 million homes and businesses, with more than 4 million premises currently taking a service.

"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.”

Millions of customers have already been upgraded to Digital Voice and its equivalents without issue. However, 1.8 million people in the UK who rely on personal alarms, worn around either their necks or wrists, to make an emergency call at the press of a button.

Predominantly used by elderly or vulnerable people, these can make a life-saving call after a bad fall or during a health emergency. While many of these will work seamlessly with broadband landlines, enough calls didn’t connect properly that BT, Virgin Media, and other telecom providers slammed the brakes on upgrades for anyone who didn’t want to switch or use one of these telecare devices.

Upgrade works have restarted since then, but not before the biggest providers agreed to a new set of guidelines to guarantee vulnerable people with alarms will never be left without a working device during the switchover process.

10 facts about the landline switch-off