Most households in the UK are now aware of the ongoing transition from traditional copper phone and broadband networks to a more advanced digital infrastructure. This shift aims to enhance speed and reliability while phasing out outdated wires. BT’s Openreach, a key provider of telecoms infrastructure in the country, has implemented nationwide “stop sell” policies. This initiative requires companies like BT, Sky, Plusnet, and TalkTalk to transition customers from legacy copper-based contracts to full-fibre broadband and Digital Voice services within specified deadlines.
Following the announcement of a “stop sell,” there is a grace period before non-fibre connections are discontinued, showing that this change is not merely a warning. The Deddington exchange in Oxfordshire has officially ceased operations, ceasing to provide phone and other services to households in the area. Customers who previously used this exchange can now only access the internet and make calls through FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) technology.
Deddington is the first of three pilot exchanges to shut down, with Ballyclare in Northern Ireland and Kenton Road in London to follow suit by the end of November. This closure marks the beginning of Openreach’s plan to retire approximately 4,600 copper-based exchanges nationwide as customers transition to fibre-only services.
The transition to fibre networks offers significantly faster and more reliable speeds, often exceeding copper speeds by more than tenfold. Users of Digital Voice services benefit from clearer calls and advanced features like call filtering. Additionally, fibre infrastructure is more compact, utilizing lightweight cables and software-based switches instead of the bulky hardware required by copper systems.
Under the new system, Openreach will consolidate to just 1,000 modern “super digital exchanges,” known as Openreach Handover Points (OHPs), to serve the entire UK. In Deddington alone, around 1,800 copper lines have been upgraded to full fibre, with services managed from the nearby Banbury OHP.
James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, emphasized the scale of the project, involving the migration of millions of services. He highlighted that Deddington showcases the company’s ability to safely and efficiently retire outdated infrastructure. Lilley stated that the digital transition will bring cost savings to providers through network consolidation, while consumers will enjoy faster and more reliable fibre connections that can accommodate future demands.
The closure of Deddington is just the beginning, with other areas like Wraysbury, Childwall, Glengormley, and Staines on the upcoming list of exchanges to be closed next.