UK landline switch off ramps up with 137 new areas on the hit list - check your postcode

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."