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Openreach Expands ‘Stop Sell’ to 238 Exchanges, Moving 1.69 Million Homes to Full‑Fibre Phone Service

The step readies providers for the January 2027 PSTN shutdown by shifting upgrades to VoIP over broadband.

Overview

  • Openreach, which confirmed the move Tuesday, will extend Stop Sell rules to 238 more exchanges affecting about 1.69 million premises.
  • In these areas, anyone upgrading, switching, or ordering a new line must take full‑fibre broadband with a digital landline, and providers can no longer sell new copper services.
  • Stop Sell only begins once roughly 75% of premises served by an exchange can access full fibre.
  • By early June, the rules will be active across about 1,432 exchanges, reaching roughly 14.2 million properties.
  • Charities warn older or offline people may struggle with the change, though homes without full‑fibre access can keep copper service for now.