Millions of UK broadband users will soon find they are finally switched over to much faster full fibre speeds rather than relying on ageing technology. Openreach, which installs and supplies internet access across Britain, has confirmed that it no longer wants to offer Internet Service Providers (ISPs) such as BT, Sky and TalkTalk the option to serve homes with copper connectivity which simply can't keep pace with today's digital needs.
For those not aware, newer Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connections can whizz the web around homes at speeds in excess of 900Mbps. That's compared to a maximin of around 70Mbps via copper wires. With more of us streaming movies, downloading games and working from home, that boost makes a huge difference and it's one of the reasons Openreach is so keen to switch homes over to full fibre.
The firm has said that from 2024, 119 new locations will no longer have the option to buy plans that aren't using that better connectivity.
This applies to anyone who’s signing up for a new contract, whether they’re switching, upgrading or re-grading their service. It's good news for speed and reliability although it's worth noting that switching to fibre can mean new cables have to be drilled through your walls and upgrading to better downloads can be more expensive.
For example, Sky has a deal which offers basic speeds for just £17 for the rest of the year but those wanting 900Mbps downloads need to pay £56 per month - that's almost £40 more!
Along with revealing the news about the switchover, Openreach has also listed all of the locations that will be hit by the changes and it also has its postcode checker which shows if full fibre is available in your street.
Here's the full list of places that are stopping copper connections from next year.
East Dean • Blundeston • Colwyn Bay • Cowfold • Kilsyth • Larbert • Denton • Chester Le Street • Milnthorpe • Feltham • Hitchin • Lancaster • Chertsey • Sevenoaks • Chapel St Leonards • Bayston Hill • Mountain Ash • Stretham • Driffield • Mold • Rugeley
Llanrwst • Fencehouses • Thorne • Irthlingborough • Penn • Rotherham • Pwllheli • St Marychurch • Rotherham North • Minehead • Aberkenfig • Tillicoultry • Stratford on Avon • Southerndown • Topsham • Risca • Llanelli • Mercury • Chepstow • Freckleton • Cross Hills
Gainsborough • Uttoxeter • Great Wakering • Malvern • Stonehouse • Hesketh Bank • Matlock • Holyhead • Senghenydd • Ynysddu • Billingshurst • Leek • Kennoway • Budleigh Salterton • Faversham • Crowborough • Goole • Hawkinge • Caerphilly • Mogador • Chessington • Widnes • Newton -Le -Willows • Victoria • Honley • Holmfirth • Holland on Sea • Friday Bridge • Ashton On Ribble • Stalybridge • Upholland • Droylsden • Swadlincote • Kendal
Shaw • Simonswood • Altrincham • Knottingley • Blackwood • Ebbw Vale • Maesteg • Newport Savoy • Newton Llantwit • Criccieth • Market Drayton • Whitchurch • Kidbrooke • Brownhills • Worcester Central • Bolton • Worcester Park • Winton • Finedon • Mottram • Sedgley • Wakefield • Aintree • North Weald
Mouswald • Marrburn • Eddleston • Alloa • Fiveways • Dalry(Ayr) • Old Colwyn • Penmaenmawr • Jesmond • Alnwick • Benwick • Calvine • Long Sutton • Warninglid • Saddleworth • Blaenau Ffestiniog • Stoneygate • Poynings • Privett • Macclesfield
