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Why full fibre?

The UK's old copper phone network is being retired, and new copper broadband is being phased out where full fibre is available. Here's what's changing, how full fibre differs from part-fibre, and why full fibre is the only broadband we sell.

Plain-English guide. This page gives general information about the UK’s move from copper to full fibre. Industry dates and arrangements can change, so check with your provider or Ofcom for the latest. Last reviewed: 20 October 2026. Next review due: 20 April 2027.

What’s changing?

Two linked changes are happening, but they aren’t the same thing.

Phone lines. Traditional landlines run on the PSTN, the old analogue phone network. That network is being retired. The widely published industry target date is 31 January 2027..[1] Other networks haven’t set dates yet.[1] That date is about landline calls, not broadband.

Broadband. Copper broadband is being phased out area by area. Under the industry’s “stop sell” programme, once enough of the premises served by a telephone exchange can get full fibre, providers can no longer sell new copper-based broadband and phone services there.[3] If full fibre isn’t available at your address yet, you can stay on your existing copper service until it is.[4]

Who’s affected?

Almost everyone with a traditional landline needs to move to a digital phone service, which works over broadband.[1][2] If you’re on copper broadband where full fibre is widely available, you’ll usually move to full fibre when you next switch or upgrade.[3]

Full fibre or part-fibre: what’s the difference?

“Fibre” has been used for more than one kind of broadband, so Ofcom now asks providers to say which kind they mean.[5]

☎️
Copper broadband (ADSL)Runs over a traditional copper phone line.[6]
🗄️
Part-fibre (FTTC, fibre to the cabinet)Uses fibre from the telephone exchange to the street cabinet, then usually a copper phone line from the cabinet to your home.[5][6]
🏠
Full fibre (FTTP, fibre to the premises)Uses fibre-optic cable all the way from the exchange to your home.[5][6]
Full fibre

Why that matters

Fewer faults

Ofcom says FTTP can give a more reliable service than FTTC, because it’s less prone to faults.[5] Copper can also be affected by poor weather.[6]

Distance doesn’t slow it down

Speeds over copper drop the further the signal travels.[6] Full fibre speeds don’t depend on how far you are from the exchange or the street cabinet.[7]

Our broadband

Why we only sell full fibre

Every broadband plan we sell is full fibre (FTTP), all the way to your property.[8] As copper is retired, we’d rather connect you to the network the industry is moving to. Our plans are sold on average peak-time speeds, and before you order we give you a personal speed estimate, including your minimum guaranteed speed.[9] See our full fibre plans.

Your landline

What it means for your home phone

With a digital landline, you plug your phone into your broadband router instead of the wall socket, and you can keep your number.[1] When you switch to us, we move (port) your number across free.[10]

  • Take full fibre and digital phone together, set up in one go. Or keep your broadband: our digital phone works over any provider’s connection.[10]
  • No home internet? Talk to us about digital phone options that work over broadband.[10]

Power cuts & vulnerable customers

Digital landlines need mains electricity, so they won’t work in a power cut unless there’s a battery back-up.[1] Your mobile phone is usually a practical alternative for calling 999 in a power cut.[1] If you rely on your landline to call 999, for example because you have no mobile phone, no reliable mobile signal at home, or you use a telecare alarm, please tell us, and your telecare or alarm supplier, before you switch.[1] We’ll give you a free solution, such as a suitable battery back-up for the equipment we install, so you can still call 999 for at least one hour in a power cut.[1][12][13][14]

Businesses

The UK Government says providers are advising all business customers to move early. Alarms, payment terminals, lifts and intercoms can all be affected.[2] See our business services.

Useful independent information

For impartial guidance, see Ofcom’s advice and the UK Government’s guidance on digital landlines.

Ofcom · GOV.UK

FAQs

Questions about full fibre

Is my broadband being switched off on 31 January 2027?

That network is being retired. The widely published industry target date is 31 January 2027. It’s about landline calls, not broadband.[1] Copper broadband is being phased out exchange by exchange instead: where full fibre is widely available, new copper broadband can no longer be sold.[3] If full fibre isn’t available at your address, you can keep your copper service until it is.[4]

What’s the difference between full fibre and part-fibre?

Full fibre (FTTP) uses fibre-optic cable all the way from the exchange to your home. Part-fibre (FTTC) uses fibre to the street cabinet, then usually a copper phone line to your home.[5][6]

Is full fibre more reliable?

Ofcom says FTTP can give a more reliable service than FTTC, because it’s less prone to faults.[5] Full fibre speeds also don’t depend on how far you are from the exchange or street cabinet.[7]

Do I need full fibre to keep my landline?

No. A digital landline works over a broadband connection.[1] Our digital phone works over any provider’s broadband, or soon on our VoIP app, using your mobile data or Wi-Fi. We port your number free.[10]

Will my phone work in a power cut?

No, not unless it has a battery back-up. Digital landlines need mains electricity. If you rely on your landline to call 999, tell us and we’ll give you a free solution so you can still call 999 for at least one hour in a power cut.[1][12][13][14]

Ready for full fibre?

Tell us your postcode and we’ll tell you what you can get. Questions? Call 0330 350 2880.

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Sources

All accessed 20 October 2026.

  1. Ofcom, “Your landline is going digital: what you need to know” (last updated 26 Aug 2026).
  2. GOV.UK (DSIT), “Moving landlines to digital technologies”.
  3. Industry announcements on accelerating copper retirement across UK premises (2026). For the regulatory overview see Ofcom, “Your landline is going digital: what you need to know”.
  4. Industry announcements on stopping new copper connections for further UK premises (2026). See also GOV.UK (DSIT), “Moving landlines to digital technologies”.
  5. Ofcom, “Tackling consumer confusion about broadband technology” (13 Dec 2023; guidance applies from 16 Sep 2024).
  6. Ofcom, “Jargon buster” (last updated 16 Sep 2024).
  7. ASA, ruling A20-1053191 (5 May 2021) on broadband speed claims.
  8. Telqaris contract summary, and our Full Fibre page.
  9. Telqaris, Full Fibre page.
  10. Telqaris, Digital Phone page.
  11. Industry “stop sell” of traditional copper phone lines in exchange areas where full fibre is available. Overview: Ofcom, future of landline calls.
  12. Ofcom, “Guidance: Protecting access to emergency organisations when there is a power cut at the customer’s premises” (General Condition A3; guidance PDF dated 4 Oct 2023).
  13. Telqaris, Terms and Conditions, Part 7 “999 calls and power cuts”.
  14. Ofcom, General Conditions of Entitlement, condition A3 (access to emergency calls).