Openreach has officially decommissioned its first telephone exchange, marking a significant step towards the UK’s transition from traditional copper networks to a state-of-the-art digital full fibre infrastructure. The Deddington Exchange, located in Oxfordshire, is the first of what will be 4,600 exchanges across the country to be dismantled as part of this nationwide shift.
The closure of the Deddington Exchange is part of a larger pilot program, which also includes exchanges in Ballyclare in Northern Ireland and Kenton Road in London. All three locations are scheduled to complete their decommissioning by the end of March 2024. This initiative aims to phase out landline services reliant on copper wiring, pushing users towards internet-based phone connections.
James Lilley, Openreach’s Managed Customer Migrations Director, emphasized the scale of this transition. He stated, “Closing thousands of ‘legacy’ exchanges is a major undertaking, with several million services needing to be migrated.” The Deddington Exchange serves as a proof of concept, demonstrating that legacy exchanges can be safely and effectively closed while ensuring continuity of service for customers.
The shift to a digital framework is expected to bring substantial benefits to users. Lilley noted that “moving to this new digital world will ultimately benefit everybody.” The transition will provide millions of end users with more reliable and faster fibre-based services, which are designed to be scalable for decades without requiring major upgrades.
As Openreach continues with its plan, customers will need to adapt to the new system. The process involves disconnecting traditional landline services and transitioning to internet-based phone connections, which are part of a broader move to modernize telecommunications infrastructure across the UK.
The decommissioning of exchanges like Deddington marks a pivotal moment in the UK’s telecommunications landscape, reflecting a global trend towards digital connectivity. As Openreach embarks on this extensive project, the company is committed to ensuring that the migration is as seamless as possible for its customers, ultimately paving the way for a more efficient and advanced communication network.
