Old landlines are being switched off - are you ready for the change?07:49, 28 Jul 2026Updated 07:56, 28 Jul 2026There are just six months to go until one of the biggest upgrades to the UK's communications network in decades, and millions more homes have been put on notice ahead of the changes. From January 2027, the UK's ageing copper phone network will be switched off for good, with traditional landlines replaced by a platform called Digital Voice. This all-new service uses broadband connections to make calls instead of those copper wires that have served the country for more than a century.‌It's a major change that households sadly can't afford to ignore. Anyone who hasn't made the move and switched to Digital Voice risks losing their existing landline service.‌A recent ‘Don’t Put Off the Switch’ campaign fronted by Clare Balding, told homes to check their landlines and ensure they're ready for the digital age.‌“When your provider gets in touch, it’s vitally important you act to ensure your landline services keeps running smoothly. If you don’t respond, the services you rely on could be disrupted,” said Clare Balding.Although the nationwide deadline is still six months away, the transition is gathering pace. BT's Openreach, which operates the UK's largest broadband network, has confirmed that it has issued "stop sell" notices at another 112 telephone exchanges.The move means broadband providers that rely on the Openreach network – including BT, Sky, Vodafone, Plusnet and others – can no longer sell or switch customers onto older copper-based broadband and phone services in those areas.‌As Openreach explains: "Stop Sell is triggered when a majority (75%) of premises connected to a particular exchange can get ultrafast Full Fibre. Customers who then want to switch, upgrade or re-grade their broadband or phone service will have to take a new digital service over our new Full Fibre network."The latest rollout takes the total number of exchanges under Stop Sell rules to 1,572, covering around 15.4 million homes and businesses across the UK.While the move to full fibre and Digital Voice may seem daunting, it should bring significant benefits, including faster broadband speeds, more reliable connections and a modern phone service that's better equipped for today's digital world.‌Anyone unsure whether their home is affected can check what services are available using the Openreach postcode checker.James Lilley, Openreach's Managed Customer Migrations Director, said: "Our Stop Sell programme is a vital step in accelerating the UK's transition to a modern full fibre future. As copper's ability to support modern communications declines, the immediate focus is getting people onto newer, future-proof technologies."By phasing out legacy copper-based services in areas where fibre is now widely available, we're ensuring customers and providers move onto faster, more reliable digital infrastructure. This approach not only reduces the cost and complexity of maintaining both old and new networks, but also supports the industry-wide migration ahead of the switch-off of the legacy Public Switched Telephone Network, which is now just six months away. By then, everyone will need a digital phone line."‌HERE IS THE FULL LIST OF NEW LOCATIONS WHERE STOP SELL HAS BEEN ISSUEDClaverley • Worfield • Brightlingsea • Hunstanton • Mattishall • Alrewas • Breadsall • March • Melton Mowbray • Newborough • Silverstone • Thorney • Weedon • Blacklunans • Kinloch Rannoch • Loanhead • St Boswells St • Grange-Over-Sands • Halsall • Longtown • Longton • Padiham • Ribbleton • Whitworth • Catford • Skelmersdale • Northolt • Chinley • Calder Valley • Gargrave • Hipperholme • Huby • Low Moor • Melrosegate • Ripponden •Birchington • Charing • Edenbridge • Ham Street • Lydd • Sellindge• South Godstone • Blanchland • Birtley • Edmundbyers • Hylton • Piercebridge • South Shields • Ballygawley • Mountfield • Garrabost • Timsgarry • Shanklin • Silkstone • Tickhill • Aston Clinton • Flitwick • Holmer Green • Rowstock • Stroud • Wroughton • Abergavenny • Dinas Powys • Glynneath • Maesycrugiau • Newport Dyfed • Rhydlewis • Talywain • Tintern • Tonyrefail • Cwm • Caversham • Turgis Green • Reading Tilehurst • ReadingArticle continues belowBlakedown • Himbleton • Nantwich • Shelsley Beauchamp • Stoke Trinity • Swynnerton • Aberdaron • Abersoch • Craven Arms Cerrig-Y-Drudion • Holme Lacy • Kinnerton • Little Brampton • Barr • Dalbeattie • Dalmellington • Gartocharn • Ibrox • Kirkoswald • Langbank • Lochmaben • Millport P.G.Newark • Strathaven • Straiton • Uplawmoor • Wemyss Bay • Black Torrington • Drewsteignton • Hayle • Helston • Lewdown • Morchard Bishop • Mary Tavy • Poundsgate • Wadebridge • Whiddon Down • Winkleigh