Openreach widens UK copper shutdown with 112 new exchange areas
Openreach will halt new sales of legacy copper phone and broadband services in another 112 UK exchange areas, covering over 619,000 premises. Providers such as BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone get 12 months' notice before restrictions begin, which are triggered when full fibre reaches at least 75% of premises in an exchange. By 5 November 2026, stop-sell rules are expected to apply at 1,663 exchanges and around 16.4 million premises as Openreach pushes migration ahead of PSTN closure.
Openreach’s latest stop-sell tranche adds 112 exchange areas, affecting more than 619,000 premises. BT, Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone will be told 12 months before restrictions start. The trigger is full fibre reaching at least 75% of premises in an exchange.
When stop sell begins, providers cannot sell new copper phone or broadband lines there. Customers who switch, upgrade or alter service are expected to move to digital connections. Openreach says 1,663 exchanges and about 16.4 million premises should be covered by 5 November 2026.
The shift could affect households and businesses in the named exchange areas, particularly those still using copper-based services. As stop-sell rules spread, customers may need to move to digital connections when changing or upgrading service, which could prompt questions about compatibility, support and readiness. Providers may need clear communication to help users understand timing and options. The wider effect may be smoother migration toward full fibre, though some may experience disruption during the transition.