There’s no escaping it. Old landline technology is slowly being switched off, with millions of homes now being asked to keep in touch with friends and family via more modern broadband-powered digital calling. Large parts of the UK have already made the switch to this platform and now there are another 137 locations that are being added to the list.
BT’s Openreach service has just announced the latest locations that will see so-called “Stop Sell” alerts triggered. This basically means those areas now have the majority of homes connected to ultrafast Full Fibre broadband. Customers who then want to switch, upgrade or re-grade their broadband or phone service will have to take a new digital service over broadband rather than using copper wires.
It’s worth noting that homes without Full Fibre will stay as they are until that new fibre cable upgrade arrives in their street.
The new technology, called Digital Voice, offers features not found on old landline services, such as Multi Call, three-way calling for conference calls, and call diversion to any other phone number, including mobile phones. The call quality should also be much improved with Digital Voice, though you’ll need a compatible Digital Home phone to take advantage.
BT says this update is “critical” to meet the demands of the future.
HERE IS THE FULL LIST OF NEW LOCATIONS BEING SWITCHED
Glarryford • • Aghadowey • Pomeroy • Clogher • Fintona • Dromore/Tyrone • Drumquin • Ashby De La Zouch
Freeland • Adderbury • Broomfield • Woodham Ferrers • Framingham • Newhaven • Sacriston • Hoghton • Penrith
Dalston • New Brancepeth • Annbank • Newton Stewart •Ballingry • Lockerbie • Chudleigh • Milford Haven • Bala
Llandrindod Wells • Stourport • Fernhill Heath • Kessingland • Teversham • Silsoe • Saint Faith • Great Dunmow
Girton • Dymchurch • Shildon • Whitley Bridge • Whaley Bridge • Pencaitland • Durrington • Romsey • Plymstock
Midsomer Norton • Forden • Alsager • Haslington • Dyserth • Sandbach • Stonehouse • Hengoed • Amlwch • Pershore
Menai Bridge • Llandovery • Manningtree • Dickleburgh • Chestfield • South Milford • Dolgellau • Avebury
Lockeridge • Newton Tracey • Ogbourne St.George • Sandon • Llanbedrog • Llanfrynach • Eskdalemuir • Long Bredy
Berriedale • Sanday • Llandyrnog • Dolwen • Dolgarrog • Chapelton • Pennyghael • Ulva Ferry • Buckland St Mary
Bishopswood • Hawick • Tottington • Eastwood • Purfleet • Locks Heath • Hook • Felling • Southbourne • St Austell
Stubbington • Lynemouth • Starcross • Loughborough • Easton • Wolverhampton • Ashford • Uxbridge • Woodford • Smallbrook
Wood St • Aylesbury • Ingleby Barwick • Leytonstone • Stockton • Sutton In Ashfield • Washington • Worle • Darlington
Holmfirth • Bedford • Goscote • Bishops Cleeve • Wolviston • Armthorpe • Barnwood • Desborough • Coppull • Trentham
Sale • Hexton • Appley Bridge • Manningham •ª Stoke City • Warsop
Speaking about the changes, James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Manager, said: “The stop sell programme is a critical part of ensuring that the UK’s communication infrastructure is ready to meet the demands of the future.
“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.
“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.”